England team to play Argentina: Marcus Smith starts at fullback
Rugby NewsMonday, 17 November 2025 at 18:43
As England prepare to wrap up their Quilter Nations Series campaign, attention turns to a familiar opponent: Argentina. The Pumas were beaten twice during the summer tour—35–12 in San Juan and 22–17 in La Plata—but this rematch arrives with a very different feel.
and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.
Argentina have travelled to London with genuine confidence. Their recent 33–24 comeback victory over Scotland has injected real belief into Felipe Contepomi’s group, a team that mixes hard-nosed physicality with flashes of creativity. They will need little motivation to chase payback for the summer losses—and to finish their European tour with a statement.
The Pumas edged the last encounter in London by a single point, a reminder that this matchup rarely follows a script. With that backdrop in mind, here’s how England’s lineup could shape up for the challenge ahead.
England team to play Argentina (Predicted)
15 Marcus Smith
England gained a real spark the moment Marcus Smith entered the field in the first half against New Zealand. His instinct for identifying open space remains unmatched in this squad, and while he can’t offer the same aerial presence as Freddie Steward, he brings a creativity that could be vital against an Argentina side capable of scoring heavily.
14 Tommy Freeman
Whether or not Tommy Freeman recovers from his hamstring issue will shape England’s choices on the wing. His return date is still unclear, so Tom Roebuck may be asked to step in. Both bring strong aerial skills and dependable all-round wing play, making this a position of genuine depth.
13 Ollie Lawrence
A powerful early tackle and a confidently taken try underlined why Ollie Lawrence feels immovable from England’s midfield right now. His left-foot step once again proved destructive, and his slick pass to set up Dingwall’s score highlighted his improved distribution.
12 Fraser Dingwall
The momentum of Fraser Dingwall’s performance last weekend makes dropping him appear unnecessary. He linked smoothly with Smith when the fullback came on, showing a clear understanding in their timing. The one concern was how often the defensive line narrowed too easily—but his well-taken try off Lawrence’s shoulder capped a strong outing.
11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
Youthful intelligence mixed with real physicality ensures that Immanuel Feyi-Waboso remains the obvious starter unless circumstances change drastically. His blend of decision-making and athleticism continues to stand out on the wing.
10 George Ford
Another calm, composed display from George Ford reminded everyone why he remains England’s tactical heartbeat. Those two drop goals across the halves showcased a razor-sharp rugby IQ. Although Fin Smith may be considered for extra experience, Ford is still the choice if England prioritise winning now.
9 Alex Mitchell
The constant question of whether Ben Spencer should start over Alex Mitchell continues in the background, yet Steve Borthwick clearly trusts the Saints scrum-half. Mitchell’s speed of service and steady control keep England moving with purpose.
1 Fin Baxter
Giving Ellis Genge the opportunity to make an impact late in the match is one reason Fin Baxter may continue to start. Although his showing against New Zealand wasn’t his strongest, he remains a quality operator and part of a rotation that works well for England.
2 Jamie George
Experience is the main ingredient Jamie George brings when anchoring a front row that includes two relatively inexperienced props. His reliability—and leadership—add balance to the starting pack.
3 Joe Heyes
Increasingly physical and technically steady, Joe Heyes has begun delivering the kind of performances England’s coaches have long believed he was capable of. His scrummaging and defensive presence impressed even against a formidable All Blacks pack.
4 Maro Itoje
There is no debate around Maro Itoje: as captain and emotional leader, he is the first name on the team sheet.
5 Alex Coles
England’s lineout noticeably improved once Alex Coles hit his stride against the All Blacks. He may not be the sort to smash through defensive lines, but his work rate, carrying and overall engine make him indispensable.
6 Ollie Chessum
If fit again, Ollie Chessum offers England a heavier, more abrasive presence at blindside. Equally comfortable in the second row, he strengthens both the set piece and the physical battle—exactly what might unsettle Argentina.
7 Sam Underhill
Reasserting his status as a key defensive figure, Sam Underhill delivered another bruising performance marked by relentless tackling. He scored a try too, to top off what was a very solid shift from the Bath man. His refusal to retreat from contact remains a hallmark of his game.
8 Ben Earl
Carrying twenty times and defending with commitment, Ben Earl produced the kind of all-action display that has become his trademark. A yellow card did little to undermine an otherwise outstanding effort, and his late cameo in the centres showed his versatility. He looks firmly entrenched as England’s premier No. 8 moving forward.
Replacements:
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Ellis Genge
18 Will Stuart
19 Chandler Cunningham-South
20 Tom Curry
21 Henry Pollock
22 Ben Spencer
23 Elliot Daly
EDITORS PICKS
- 2026 Nations Championship fixtures confirmed: England get nightmare start
- Autumn team of the week: England dominated the XV
- Sir Clive Woodward drops controversial Henry Pollock verdict
- Most Overrated Rugby Players of All Time (Ranked 20-1)
- England lock set to quit Leicester Tigers for Gallagher Prem rivals
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
Loading