Marcus Smith, who missed England’s semi-final defeat to South Africa with concussion, will start at full-back for Friday’s bronze final against Argentina; he is joined in a back three with Henry Arundell and Freddie Steward on the wing; Courtney Lawes misses the 23
Last updated: 10/25/23 12:40 PM
Marcus Smith will play at full-back for England in the Bronze Final against Argentina on Friday
Marcus Smith returns at full-back for England’s bronze final against Argentina on Friday, while Courtney Lawes is a surprise omission as Steve Borthwick makes eight changes to the side that lost the Rugby World Cup semi-final to South Africa.
In the back three, Smith is joined by Henry Arundell on the left wing and Freddie Steward on the right wing. Owen Farrell will once again captain the side, while Ben Youngs – the England men’s most capped player of all time – will start his first match of the tournament at scrum-half.
In a renewed front row, vice-captain Ellis Genge returns to the starting line-up and starts working with Theo Dan as hooker and Will Stuart as tighthead.
Henry Arundell is back on the wing for England in their latest World Cup appearance
England Rugby World Cup 2023
| October 21 (semi-finals) | England 15-16 South Africa |
| October 15 (quarter-finals) | England 30-24 Fiji |
| October 7 (pool D) | England 18-17 Samoa |
| September 23 (pool D) | England 71-0 Chile |
| September 17 (pool D) | England 34-12 Japan |
| September 9 (pool D) | England 27-10 Argentina |
The second row partnership sees Maro Itoje team up with Ollie Chessum. In the back row, Sam Underhill is named on the open flank to make his first World Cup appearance.
Tom Curry, who wins his 50th England cap on Friday evening, moves to the blindside, while Ben Earl completes the scrum at number 8.
There is no place for the retiring Lawes, the 34-year-old adding nothing to his 103 career caps as he is also not on the list of replacements.
Courtney Lawes misses selection for the Bronze Final against Argentina
In naming his squad, Borthwick said: “After the disappointment of last weekend’s match against South Africa, it is important that we play again this Friday with the determination and dedication that almost got the team the result they wanted.
“The Bronze Final gives us a great opportunity to end the tournament on a positive note, continue to build for the future and give our supporters one last chance to get behind the team here in Paris.
“The players are looking forward to the challenge against a strong Argentina.”
England team for bronze final
15 Marcus Smith, 14 Freddie Steward, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 Owen Farrell (c) 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Theo Dan, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Dan Cole, 19 David Ribbans, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Danny Care, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Lawrence.