Sam Underhill, Chris Robshaw and Piers Francis named in England side
Thursday 15 June 2017 21:54, UK
Bath forward Sam Underhill will win his first England cap in Saturday's second Test against Argentina.
The 20-year-old openside flanker missed the first Test with a neck injury but has recovered in time to take part in Santa Fe, as England look to secure a 2-0 series win.
Coach Eddie Jones has made three changes to the side that won 38-34 in San Juan last Saturday, with former captain Chris Robshaw returning from an ankle injury to partner Underhill in the back row and Piers Francis starting at inside centre, after making his debut from the bench last Saturday.
Making way are flankers Tom Curry and Mark Wilson, despite having made eye-catching debuts in San Juan, although Wilson is retained on the bench, alongside centre Alex Lozowski, who also started last week.
Underhill, a former England U18 captain, is seen by Jones as a potential answer to England's lengthy search for a genuine openside flanker.
And Robshaw, who played in 12 out of Jones' first 13 games in charge, will make his first appearance for his country since December, having missed the entire Six Nations with a shoulder problem and the first Test against the Pumas with an ankle injury.
Jones admits that Curry, who turned 19 on Thursday, is unlucky to lose his place, but believes he has a bright future with England.
"It was obviously hard on Tom and Mark Wilson, who both played well," said the coach.
"Robbo would have been our first-choice six but he had a slight problem with his ankle that kept him out last week and he has worked very hard to get back. It is great to welcome him back into the squad.
"Robbo has been one of England's best players over the last two years and he will add a lot of experience and work rate into our back row.
"It will be exciting to see Sam Underhill make his debut too, having been unfortunate not to play last week because of injury.
"Curry is unlucky. He will suit our style of game."
Francis is promoted after impressing as a replacement for fellow debutant Lozowski in San Juan.
But rugby league convert Denny Solomona, who scored the winning try in San Juan, must wait to make his first start after Marland Yarde was preferred on the right wing.
Jones added: "We know we will need to improve our performance from last weekend if we are going to win on Saturday but we have prepared in detail and intensely this week.
"Argentina will be a much better and stronger side than last weekend, so the message to the guys all week has been to raise our levels.
"Despite missing 30 players on this tour, we set out to win the series 2-0. It would be a fantastic achievement for this young and talented squad to do that.
"On Saturday we want to finish the season and the halfway point of a four-year World Cup programme on a real high."
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Danny Care, 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dylan Hartley (captain), 3 Harry Williams, 4 Charlie Ewels, 5 Joe Launchbury, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Collier, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Mark Wilson, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Alex Lozowski, Denny Solomona
