England's Mitchell, May and Curry start against Argentina

MARSEILLE, France :England's Alex Mitchell and Jonny May, who were both left out of the initial World Cup squad, have been named in the starting team to face Argentina on Saturday, along with flanker Tom Curry, who has not played a game in over three months.

Mitchell, who was called up to the squad only after injury ruled out Jack van Poortvliet, starts at scrumhalf in what looks like a move by coach Steve Borthwick to inject some pace and urgency into England's attack after their dire warm-up campaign.

He has six caps but this will be only his second start.

May, another late addition after Anthony Watson's injury, starts at right wing, with Elliot Daly on the left in the team announced on Thursday.

Curry, one of the stars of England’s run to the final four years ago, returns at openside flanker having overcome a series of injuries.

Veteran scrumhalf Danny Care is on the bench and in line for his second appearance in a World Cup having played in the dead rubber against Uruguay in 2015.

He made his international debut in 2008 but missed the 2011 tournament through injury after being named in the squad and was overlooked by Eddie Jones in 2019.

Owen Farrell's suspension opens the way for George Ford at flyhalf, with Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant in the centres.

Courtney Lawes will captain the team from blindside flanker while fellow international centurion Dan Cole is a surprise starter at tighthead prop, brought in for his scrummaging expertise.

In the absence of the suspended Billy Vunipola, the only specialist number eight in the squad, Ben Earls packs down at the back of the scrum.

Marcus Smith is among the replacements, covering the flyhalf and fullback positions despite never starting a professional game at 15.

'STERN TEST'

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