England confirm team to face Argentina with no changes to starting XV

England travel to Santiago del Estero looking to finish the tour on a high, with Borthwick resisting the temptation to hand starts to in-form back-row Henry Pollock or newly capped duo Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori.

After producing a dominant 73-8 victory over Fiji, the head coach has opted for continuity, giving the same starting side another opportunity to build momentum ahead of a busy international schedule.

Seb Atkinson and Henry Slade continue their partnership in midfield after making their first Test start together against Fiji, while Tommy Freeman returns to the wing after previously being used in the centres.

Jack van Poortvliet also retains the number nine shirt for a third consecutive Test. Ben Spencer comes onto the bench in place of Alex Mitchell, who misses out after suffering a hamstring injury during last weekend’s win.

There could be a debut from Northampton prop Emmanuel Iyogun, who has been named among the replacements as loose-head cover. Asher Opoku-Fordjour is also included on the bench and is set to provide cover at tight-head behind Joe Heyes.

Pollock, despite scoring six tries in his fledgling England career, will once again be used as an impact replacement. The back row has crossed the line in all but one of his Test appearances, most of which have come from the bench.

Teenage wing Noah Caluori, who finished as the Premiership’s leading try scorer with Saracens, also remains among the replacements after earning his first England cap.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg is included again after becoming eligible to represent England earlier this month. The Pretoria-born centre qualified following five seasons in the Premiership and after the Rugby Football Union successfully argued that a single appearance for South Africa Under-20s did not tie him to the Springboks at senior level. The 29-year-old is expected to feature more prominently over the coming months as England continue to build towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

“We expect a fantastic atmosphere with passionate home support,” said Borthwick.

“It promises to be a great occasion, and one the players are excited to embrace.”

Saturday’s fixture comes just days after England and Argentina met on the football pitch in the World Cup semi-finals, where Argentina secured victory with two late goals.

Following this weekend’s clash, England’s focus will turn towards an important run of fixtures before next year’s Rugby World Cup. Autumn Tests against New Zealand, Australia, Japan and a yet-to-be-confirmed Nations Championship finals opponent will be followed by a Six Nations campaign that begins away to Ireland.

England XV: Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade, Seb Atkinson, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; Fin Smith, Jack van Poortvliet; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Alex Coles, George Martin, Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper, Ben Earl.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Emmanuel Iyogun, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Noah Caluori.