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One enforced change for England with Luke Northmore set for debut
By Josh Raisey
Harlequins centre Luke Northmore will make his England debut on Saturday against Argentina in San Juan as the only replacement made by Steve Borthwick from the side that triumphed over the Pumas last week.
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Northmore will replace Henry Slade, who played the entire match in La Plata despite breaking his hand.
The 28-year-old Harlequin has been a perennial member of England squads dating back to Borthwick’s predecessor Eddie Jones, but has had to wait until now to receive his first cap.
With Northmore’s club-mate Oscar Beard and Bath’s Max Ojomoh, who are both uncapped, also in the squad, there was uncertainty as to who would take Slade’s place in the squad, with the elder of the three outside centre options getting the nod.
England are now shorn of 73 caps-worth of experience in the midfield with Slade’s absence, leaving the backline light on caps with inside centre Seb Atkinson and winger Will Muir only making their debuts last week. Then again, with George Ford, who will win his 101st cap in La Plata, pulling the strings, there are few better fly-halves to play alongside if you lack experience.
Off the back of a hugely impressive 35-12 win against the Pumas, who had knocked over the British & Irish Lions two weeks before, it is understandable why Borthwick has decided to stick with a winning formula. His counterpart Felipe Contepomi, conversely, has rung the changes, bringing in seven new players to his starting XV for the rematch.
“Saturday’s match in San Juan is another great challenge,” said Borthwick. “The players have trained with real focus and intensity this week, determined to keep improving in every area.
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“We’re expecting a tactical battle as well as a tough, physical contest, and everyone is excited for what should be a fantastic Test match.”
England XV
15. Freddie Steward
14. Tom Roebuck
13. Luke Northmore
12. Seb Atkinson
11. Will Muir
10. George Ford – co-captain
9. Ben Spencer
1. Fin Baxter
2. Jamie George – co-captain
3. Joe Heyes
4. Charlie Ewels
5. Alex Coles
6. Ben Curry
7. Sam Underhill
8. Tom Willis
Replacements
16. Theo Dan
17. Bevan Rodd
18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour
19. Chandler Cunningham-South
20. Guy Pepper
21. Alex Dombrandt
22. Jack van Poortvliet
23. Cadan Murley