Alex Coles makes debut as Tuilagi returns for Pumas

Alex Coles has been handed an England debut at second row as Manu Tuilagi comes back into the side after another long injury lay off.

Coles is joined in the second row by Jonny Hill, with Maro Itoje moving to blindside to cover for the injured Courtney Lawes.

In Lawes’ absence, Owen Farrell regains the England captaincy for the first time in just under a year, while Marcus Smith is named at fly-half.

It is the first time that the long-awaited Smith, Farrell, Tuilagi combination is played at 10, 12 and 13 respectively, while Farrell also has two new partners as vice-captains.

Ellis Genge and Jack Nowell are the two deputies that Jones has chosen, and the Australian was excited for the clash after the three senior players’ contribution through the week.

“It’s been a really good week of preparation and I’ve been very pleased with the squad’s attitude,” he said.

“They’ve shown real work ethic and a determination to improve and our leaders, Owen, Ellis and Jack have really lifted the team.

“We’re looking forward to a great game of rugby at a full Twickenham Stadium against a very good Argentina side.

“It’s been a tough time for rugby lately and we hope that these autumn games show just what a special game it is.”

On the bench, England have named a six-two split of forwards to backs, and Coles’ fellow Saints lock Dave Ribbans could make his debut as a substitute.

Unattached Jack Willis is also named amongst the subs, and Jack van Poortvliet gets a place on the bench behind his Leicester Tigers teammate Ben Youngs.

Argentina have made three changes to the team that were beaten by South Africa in the final game of The Rugby Championship with two new props in the form of Thomas Gallo and Francisco Gomez Kodela.

In the backs, Newcastle Falcons’ Mateo Carreras is rewarded with a place on the right-wing after a strong start to the domestic season – his first since 2021 – and will line up outside his club teammate Matias Moroni at inside centre, with Matias Orlando amongst the substitutes.

Coach Michael Cheika has been balancing coaching Argentina with his role as boss of Lebanon rugby league, but he has said he is confident he’ll be able to manage his time through a hectic weekend, beginning with Lebanon’s game against Australia tonight.

England: Steward, Cokanasiga, Tuilagi, Farrell (c), Nowell; Smith, Youngs; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Coles, Hill, Itoje, Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Singleton, M Vunipola, Heyes, Ribbans, Simmonds, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Slade

Argentina: Mallia, M Carreras, Moroni, de la Fuente, Boffelli, S Carreras, Bertranou; Gallo, Montoya (c), Gomez-Kodela, Alemanno, Lavanini, Gonzalez, Kremer, Matera

Replacements: Ruiz, Tetas-Chaparro, Bello, Paulos, Isa, Morales, Albornoz, Orlando

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