Summary

  • George Ford kicks 27 points to steer 14-man England to famous win

  • Tom Curry sent off for head-on-head tackle following bunker review

  • England's third red card in four Tests

  • England's opening game in Pool D at Stade Velodrome in Marseille

  1. Tune in!published at 19:24 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    As well as this thrilling live text, you can also listen to all of the build-up and full match commentary over on BBC Radio 5 Live.

    Just click the link at the top of the page.

  2. 'You have got to do something special to beat them'published at 19:22 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Argentina are off the back of a good Rugby Championship and had excellent results, not necessarily in victory.

    They have ticked off all the big names over the last 12 months and beaten New Zealand in New Zealand. They are a very experienced team and they are a hard bunch,

    You have got to do something special to beat them.

  3. Why Los Pumas are favourites?published at 19:20 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    Argentina will be in uncharted territory when they begin their World Cup campaign in Marseille on Saturday.

    The Pumas are ranked two places higher than England in the world standings and are slight favourites for the first time in a meeting between the two nations.

    Michael Cheika's side are sixth in the world, having claimed a famous first away win in New Zealand last year before also beating England and Australia on the road and finishing third in the recent Rugby Championship.

    Eighth-placed England, in contrast, had a disappointing Six Nations and lost three of their four summer warm-up matches, including a first defeat by Fiji.

    You can read our profile of the Pumas here.

    Argentina graphic
  4. Doubt in the air for England fanspublished at 19:17 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live at the Stade Velodrome

    In the England fan community at the moment there is doubt.

    There is just that edge of uncertainty, all the players are talking about getting behind them.

  5. 'England have been a team in decline for four years'published at 19:16 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Steve Borthwick with the forwards during trainingImage source, Getty Images

    It is not that long ago Eddie Jones said England were playing badly as they were keeping their attacking game a secret until the World Cup, and some people believed it.

    They [England] have been a team in decline for four years.

    [Steve] Borthwick took on the job and it is somewhat of a hospital pass. If you are being a realist and believing what you see with your eyes England are going to have to do something to get past Argentina.

  6. 'England in the eye of the storm in Marseille'published at 19:14 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent in Marseille

    England's players started the week in the remote calm of Le Touquet, cocooned from the pressure that is mounting on the team.

    They end the week in the eye of the storm.

    There is no respite in bustling Marseille, a place which exudes World Cup history. Anyone who was here in 2007 will never forget it, least of all the legions of England fans who watched their side upset the odds against Australia and improbably reach the semi-finals.

    These England players went out for a coffee in town on Friday. Surrounded by the yachts of the Vieux Port, they find themselves in a similar boat 16 years on. Both sides were written off before their showdowns in the Velodrome.

    Read more here.

    Dan ColeImage source, Getty Images
  7. The calm before the stormpublished at 19:12 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    The changing rooms are ready, deep in the bowels of the Stade Velodrome.

    Oh to be a fly on the wall in the England camp...

    Argentina's changing room setupImage source, Getty Images
    England's kitman sets out their changing roomImage source, Getty Images
  8. Team news - Argentina name experienced sidepublished at 19:09 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    Argentina have named an experienced team, including nine players in the starting XV with previous World Cup experience.

    Premiership-based players include captain Julian Montoya from Leicester Tigers and Gloucester fly-half Santiago Carreras.

    Replacement hooker Agustin Creevy, 38, will play in his fourth World Cup, joining Mario Ledesma, Felipe Contepomi and Martin Scelzo for most tournaments featured at by an Argentine.

    Argentina: Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, Chocobares, M Carreras; S Carreras, Bertranou; Gallo, Montoya (capt), Gomez Kodela, Lavanini, Alemanno, Martin Gonzalez, Kremer, Matera.

    Replacements: Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Petti Pagadizabal, Rubiolo, Bruni, Bazan Velez, Moroni.

    Julian MontoyaImage source, Getty Images
  9. Team news - Mitchell and May to start for Englandpublished at 19:06 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    The big team news is that Alex Mitchell and Jonny May will start for England despite initially missing out on the 33-man squad.

    Scrum-half Mitchell and wing May were late additions to Steve Borthwick's squad after Jack van Poortvliet and Anthony Watson withdrew with injury.

    George Ford will start at fly-half with captain Owen Farrell banned for the first two pool games.

    Flanker Tom Curry starts his first game since the Premiership final in May.

    England: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes (capt), Curry, Earl.

    Replacements: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Martin, Ludlam, Care, Smith, Lawrence.

    Alex MitchellImage source, Getty Images
  10. Can England turn their fortunes around?published at 19:03 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    England's preparation for this World Cup opener have been far from ideal.

    Three defeats in four warm-up matches, 12 tries conceded and two red cards.

    Captain Owen Farrell and number eight Billy Vunipola are both suspended for this game and questions have been raised over England's defence.

    Steve Borthwick's men are eighth in the world standings, their lowest ranking coming into a World Cup.

    But can they start with a bang in France and turn their fortunes around when it matters most?

    Steve BorthwickImage source, Getty Images
  11. No more dress rehearsalspublished at 19:00 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    England v Argentina (20:00 BST)

    The stage is set...

    MarseilleImage source, Getty Images

    The Stade Velodrome in Marseille awaits as England begin their World Cup campaign...

    EnglandImage source, Getty Images

    Standing in their way?

    An Argentina side brimming with confidence...

    ArgentinaImage source, Getty Images

    It's been a rocky road for England up to this point but the real action starts now.

    Kick off is at 20:00 BST...