England make bold scrum-half selection as Tom Curry returns for World Cup opener against Argentina

Adam Kyriacou
England scrum-half Alex Mitchell passing.

England scrum-half Alex Mitchell passing.

England have included Tom Curry and Alex Mitchell in their starting line-up for their Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina at Stade de Marseille on Saturday.

Curry’s return to fitness is a welcome boost to head coach Steve Borthwick as the Red Rose look to kick off their Pool D campaign with a win this weekend.

He is joined in the back-row by captain and blindside flanker Courtney Lawes and Ben Earl, who lines up at number eight in the absence of Billy Vunipola.

Rise up the ranks

For Mitchell, it is a meteoric rise from fourth choice scrum-half after being left out of the initial Rugby World Cup squad to starter in such a crucial match.

Mitchell links up with vice-captain George Ford in the half-back berths, with inside centre Manu Tuilagi partnering Joe Marchant at number 13 this weekend.

Jonny May, who scored last time out, will line up on the right wing, opposite the returning Elliot Daly on the left, while Freddie Steward will start at full-back.

In the front-row, vice-captain Ellis Genge gets the nod at loosehead, with Jamie George at hooker and veteran Dan Cole named as England’s tighthead prop.

Elsewhere in the pack, Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum are paired at lock.

On the bench, Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Will Stuart, George Martin, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, Marcus Smith, and Ollie Lawrence will all be hoping to make an impact.

“With an excellent week of preparation in Le Touquet, the players are now looking forward to starting their Rugby World Cup campaign under the lights in Marseille on Saturday,” said Borthwick.

“After a number of impressive performances in the last 12 months by Argentina, we know that the first game in our pool will provide a stern test.

“This great tournament provides an excitingly special opportunity for our players, who I know, as ever, will be giving their all in front of our travelling support in the south of France.”

England line-up

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jonny May, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Courtney Lawes (c), 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Martin, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Danny Care, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Ollie Lawrence

Date: Saturday, September 9
Venue: Stade de Marseille
Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

READ MORE: Rugby World Cup team tracker: All the line-ups for the thrilling opening weekend’s action

Argentina Alex Mitchell Tom Curry

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