Jonny May, Alex Mitchell start for England in 2023 Rugby World Cup opener v Argentina as Steve Borthwick names team

Alex Mitchell and Jonny May have been named in England’s team for their 2023 Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina on Saturday.

Neither were included in the original 33-man squad, with Mitchell a replacement for the injured Jack van Poortvliet and May called up when Anthony Watson was ruled out with injury.

Scrum-half Mitchell starts ahead of Ben Youngs and Danny Care, with Youngs not making the matchday squad.

Mitchell will be making only his second England start and will be alongside George Ford, who starts at fly-half with captain Owen Farrell banned for the first two games.

Courtney Lawes skippers the side and will be joined in the back row by Tom Curry.

Curry will be starting his first game since the Premiership final in May after recovering from injury.

Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum are paired in the second row while Freddie Steward is at full-back.

“With an excellent week of preparation in Le Touquet, the players are now looking forward to starting their Rugby World Cup campaign under the lights in Marseille on Saturday,” said England head coach Steve Borthwick.

“After a number of impressive performances in the last 12 months by Argentina, we know that the first game in our pool will provide a stern test.

“This great tournament provides an excitingly special opportunity for our players, who I know, as ever, will be giving their all in front of our travelling support in the south of France.”

England and Argentina look the favourites to emerge from Pool D, which also contains Chile, Japan and Samoa.

England play Japan in their second game on Sunday, September 17.

The tournament starts with hosts France v New Zealand on Friday evening.

England team to face Argentina: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole; Itoje, Chessum; Lawes (c), Curry, Earl

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

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