England have vowed to come out “all guns blazing” against Argentina in Saturday’s crunch World Cup opener after claiming they have been written off too early amid a desperate buildup to the tournament.
The head coach, Steve Borthwick, has handed a surprise start to the livewire scrum-half Alex Mitchell and struck a defiant tone on Thursday following widespread criticism of England’s performances since he took over in December. Tom Curry has also been chosen for his first England appearance under Borthwick, having recovered from an ankle injury, while Jonny May – like Mitchell – will start despite missing out on the initial 33-man World Cup squad.
England’s farewell match before departing for France was a humiliating defeat by Fiji, rounding off a disappointing warm-up campaign in which they lost three of their four games. Defensively they were dreadful against Fiji while they have yet to click in an attacking sense but Mitchell’s selection hints at a more dynamic approach and Courtney Lawes, who captains the side with Owen Farrell suspended, has sent a strong message to supporters who have rapidly been losing faith.
“It is going to be a hell of a spectacle, so enjoy it,” said Lawes. “We are going out all guns blazing and we are going to give it everything we have got. There is definitely a frustration. We feel it as much as anybody. We are in the thick of it and we are doing everything we can to make sure come this weekend we are firing on all cylinders.
F Steward (Leicester); J May (Gloucester), J Marchant (Stade Francais), M Tuilagi (Sale), E Daly (Saracens); G Ford (Sale), A Mitchell (Northampton); E Genge (Bristol), J George (Saracens), D Cole (Leicester), M Itoje (Saracens), O Chessum (Leicester), C Lawes (Northampton, capt), T Curry (Sale), B Earl (Saracens).
Replacements: T Dan (Saracens), J Marler (Harlequins), W Stuart (Bath), G Martin (Leicester), L Ludlam (Northampton), D Care (Harlequins), M Smith (Harlequins), O Lawrence (Bath).
“[The criticism is] obviously a bit of fuel for the fire and gives us motivation. Obviously we want to perform for each other, mainly. As I said previously we’ve had a really good training week this week, things feel like they’re starting to fall into place, so we’ve got some genuine excitement going into the weekend. We know we’re facing a good team, but we know we’ve got as good a chance as any of coming away with a win.”
Borthwick was in a similarly determined mood and provided an example, close to home, of why supporters have not yet completely given up on his side.
Under Borthwick, England have lost six of their nine matches, including five of their last six, and Argentina are favourites for Saturday’s clash in Marseille, but the head coach said: “One of my boys [Hunter] wrote a letter to Anthony Watson, because of how much he felt, because Anthony had to be withdrawn from the squad. People in this country feel an attachment to this team, they feel a passion for this team. I know on Saturday night these guys are going to bring all their passion.
“There is a feeling among the players that they’ve been written off too early. People have called time on them a bit too early. I think there is a lot of class in this squad. The players have a hell of a lot more to go. I sense the frustration about what people have been saying about them, and right now as I sit here and prepare, and coach this team this last week, I have an expectation that they will go and perform with the quality that they have this week. There is a huge number in this squad who are just like [Courtney], made of tough stuff.”
The selection of Mitchell is a considerable show of faith by Borthwick given the 26-year-old has made just one previous start – against Fiji – and has only six caps to date. Danny Care – who is on the bench – and Ben Youngs have a combined total of 214 by way of comparison but when Jack van Poortvliet was ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury in mid-August, Mitchell was called up and has seized his chance.
“Immense credit to Mitch in that he was incredibly disappointed not to make the original 33-man squad,” added Borthwick. “One of the positives that came out of that Fiji game was his performance. He was a dangerous running threat, everyone knows he is a dangerous running threat.”
May, meanwhile, was called in for Watson, who also had to withdraw from the squad through injury. He revealed earlier this week how he almost told Borthwick he was leaving the England camp upon learning he would not make the initial World Cup squad but is selected on the right wing with Elliot Daly – back after a knee injury – on the left. “Jonny’s preparation on a daily basis is an example to everyone,” said Borthwick. “He has been fantastic.”
