Chiefs trio to face Argentina

By Mark Stevens
3/10/19

For the first time this tournament, Exeter Chiefs trio Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade have all been named in Eddie Jones’ England squad to play Argentina in their third pool match of Rugby World Cup 2019 at Tokyo Stadium.

Hooker Cowan-Dickie has scored tries in both of England’s victories against Tonga and USA, whilst Slade was a second half replacement against Tonga in their opening game of the tournament.

Nowell, however, has not played competitively since the Chiefs lost narrowly to Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership Final at Twickenham in early June.Knee and ankle injuries sustained in that game initially stifled his progress, after which a ruptured appendix during the World Cup warm-up camp in Italy have meant he has had to play the waiting game.

Now, fully-fit again, Jones has wasted little time in bringing back the versatile back, along with Sarries prop Mako Vunipola, another who has yet to have any game time at the World Cup.

Elsewhere, Owen Farrell will captain the side at inside centre with Manu Tuilagi playing at outside centre for his second game of the tournament. Elliot Daly, Jonny May and Anthony Watson make up the back three with George Ford starting at fly half.

Ben Youngs will start his 92nd game for his country becoming the third most capped England men’s player behind Dylan Hartley (97) and Jason Leonard (114), while Dan Cole will equal Youngs if he features in the game off the bench.

Joe Marler, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler are named in the front row with Maro Itoje and George Kruis as the lock pairing. Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Billy Vunipola will start in the back row.

Jones said: “We are in Tokyo for the first time and the players are excited to be here and have had a good week’s preparation so far. We know Argentina are a very good team and our players will be ready for the game.

“Argentina is a completely different team from others we have played so far in the pool stages and are always about the physical contest. This week it’s about getting our game right, our set piece in a good place and making sure defensively we are organised and ready to find ways to score points against them.”

England XV to face Argentina

15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 35 caps)
14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 38 caps)
13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 36 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, capt, 75 caps)
11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 48 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 61 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 91 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 64 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 41 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 27 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 30 caps)
5 George Kruis (Saracens, 37 caps)
6 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 15 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
8 Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 47 caps)

16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
17 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 54 caps)
18 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 91 caps)
19 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 77 caps)
20 Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 4 caps)
21 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 6 caps)
22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 23 caps)
23 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps)