England name unchanged side for Argentina as Pollock stays on bench
England maintain continuity for their Nations Championship clash against Argentina, keeping the same starting side following their victory over Fiji. Despite calls for promotion, Henry Pollock remains a high-impact finisher.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has opted for total stability in his selection for this Saturday’s Nations Championship clash, naming an unchanged starting XV to face Argentina in Santiago del Estero. The decision, announced on Thursday, 16 July 2026, serves to retain the momentum generated by last weekend’s emphatic 73-8 victory over Fiji at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, a result that finally broke a five-Test losing streak for the national side.
The headline-grabbing omission remains Henry Pollock. Despite a blistering 32-minute cameo against Fiji in which he scored a hat-trick of tries, the Northampton Saints back-rower has been kept in his customary role among the replacements. While former internationals including Chris Ashton, Ben Youngs, and Jeremy Guscott publicly advocated for his promotion to the starting side, Borthwick has remained steadfast, prioritising the ball-carrying contributions of Ben Earl at No 8. Pollock, who now has six international tries to his name, continues to be utilised as a high-impact finisher by the coaching staff.
Media additions
Matchday 23 Selection
| Position | Starters |
|---|---|
| Back Three | Marcus Smith, Tommy Freeman, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso |
| Centres | Henry Slade, Seb Atkinson |
| Halves | Fin Smith, Jack van Poortvliet |
| Back Row | Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper, Ben Earl |
| Locks | Alex Coles, George Martin |
| Front Row | Joe Heyes, Jamie George (capt), Ellis Genge |
While the starting lineup remains consistent, there are minor adjustments to the bench. Ben Spencer enters the squad as scrum-half cover to replace Alex Mitchell, who is unavailable due to a hamstring strain. Additionally, uncapped Northampton loosehead prop Emmanuel Iyogun is set for a potential debut, having been named among the replacements. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, who has appeared in four consecutive matches, remains in the squad, switching between roles to provide necessary front-row depth.
The decision to maintain the centre pairing of Henry Slade and Seb Atkinson highlights Borthwick's desire to allow the duo further time to solidify their partnership, while Marcus Smith continues at full-back in the continued absence of injured regulars George Furbank and Freddie Steward. Captain Jamie George is set to reach a milestone, earning his 113th cap and moving into fourth place on the all-time list of England’s most-capped men’s players.
Atmosphere and Tension
The fixture at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades occurs against a backdrop of heightened national tension. Reports from Buenos Aires indicated that the England rugby squad refrained from wearing their national jerseys in public during the week as a precautionary measure to avoid potential hostility.
Adding a personal dimension to the weekend, Henry Pollock was filmed interacting with a group of Argentine fans outside the team hotel, during which he was seen shushing the crowd and making a thumbs-down gesture. Addressing the environment, lock Alex Coles noted that the team had been sensible about their movements, contrasting the current atmosphere with the more welcoming reception they experienced during their time in Liverpool.
Despite these external pressures, the coaching staff is focusing on the technical requirements of the final July fixture. Borthwick expressed optimism regarding the upcoming challenge, stating,
"We’re excited by the challenge of playing Los Pumas in Santiago del Estero. We expect a fantastic atmosphere with passionate home support. It promises to be a great occasion, and one the players are excited to embrace."
Steve Borthwick, head coach, via The Guardian
What to Watch Next
- Debut potential: Watch for Emmanuel Iyogun in the second half, as he seeks his first senior cap at loosehead prop.
- Midfield test: The performance of the Slade-Atkinson axis remains a primary focus as the team looks toward the autumn international series.
- Road to the World Cup: This match serves as the conclusion of the summer tour, with ten full Test matches scheduled before the next Rugby World Cup, including autumn dates against New Zealand, Australia, and Japan.
For those tracking team development, the integration of newer squad members like Benhard Janse van Rensburg and 19-year-old winger Noah Caluori will continue to be a developing story for the remainder of the season. Following this fixture, England’s path to the World Cup will progress through the autumn internationals and the forthcoming Six Nations championship.
