England have endured a nightmare build-up to the tournament while Argentina have been decent enough thus far in 2023.
England v Argentina
Saturday 9 September
Stade Velodrome
England 19/20 | Draw 18/1 | Argentina 19/20
The English really are struggling with their dour game plan seeing them lose six of the nine games they have played this term. And while defeats to the likes of Scotland, Ireland, France and even Wales can be overlooked and brushed off with a ‘it’s a World Cup year and we’re not concerned about the 6 Nations or warm-up games’, one simply cannot accept a 22-30 defeat to Fiji at Twickenham. That’s taking nothing away from Fiji as they have developed superbly over the last few years, but it does show how far this English side, who finished as runners-up at the last World Cup, has fallen.
Things get worse for those supporters who will be donning the English World Cup jersey this weekend as their side have been hard hit with injuries and suspensions with Owen Farrell ruled out of the of England’s first two World Cup fixtures through a ban, while Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Harry Arundell, Manu Tuilagi, George Martin and Elliot Daly all nursing injuries that saw them either miss early week training sessions or have to do modified training sessions. Things certainly aren’t looking rosy for the ‘Red Roses’.
Argentina are far better prepared heading into this one. While they didn’t set the World alight in the Rugby Championship, they did beat Australia and gave South Africa a real run for their money. They are also a far more settled squad than the English and have a game plan that doesn’t involve going through two phases and then box kicking, which is their opponents’ entire set-up at the minute.
Los Pumas for the win here. England are a shambles and this World Cup is going to be a dire one for Steve Borthwick and his team of misfits and aging veterans.
Verdict: Argentina
