Tom Curry will become the youngster player to make his England debut since Jonny Wilkinson in 1998 on Saturday after being named in Eddie Jones’ starting XV to take on Argentina in San Juan.
The Sale flanker, who is still 18, starts at openside and is one of four players set for their Test debut against the Pumas with Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter) and Mark Wilson (Newcastle) also named.
Wilkinson was aged 18 years and 314 days when he made his debut against Ireland on April 4, 1998 while Curry will be 18 years 360 days come Saturday – he turns 19 next Thursday.
Dylan Hartley captains the side in what will be his 85th cap for England. He will move ahead of former captain Martin Johnson and alongside Rory Underwood and Lawrence Dallaglio as the third-equal most capped England international of all time.
Marland Yarde (Harlequins) comes back into the side on the right wing for the first time since the 2016 autumn internationals alongside vice captains George Ford (Bath), Danny Care (Harlequins) and Mike Brown (Harlequins).
Jones has named seven uncapped players on the bench including Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), who joined up with the squad on Monday evening from Auckland, and Denny Solomona (Sale), who has recovered well from his foot injury he picked up in Brighton.
“I’m really excited about this England team to face Argentina this weekend,” said Jones. “I have selected a group of experienced players across the spine of this team as well as four young players who will be eager to go out and play well on their debuts for England.
“Those players have worked extremely hard to get selected over the last few weeks, but I have been impressed with the way the whole squad has trained and gelled together in a short amount of time. They all realise the opportunity that they have to be involved in this England side and I’m sure they will show that commitment on Saturday.
“We are here to win this series 2-0 but we know Argentina will be extremely tough opposition. After a mixed year of results, there will be pressure on them to play well and win in front of a partisan crowd. We know Argentina are a very good side having played them earlier this season and they will be desperate to win against us.”
England: Brown; Yarde, Slade, Lozowski, May; Ford, Care; Genge, Hartley (c), Williams, Launchbury, Ewels, Wilson, Curry, Hughes
Replacements: Singleton, Mullan, Collier, Isiekwe, Armand, Maunder, Francis, Solomona.
Argentina: Tucelet; Moroni, Orlando, de la Fuente, Boffelli; Sanchez, Landajo; Noguera, Creevy (c), Pieretto, Alemanno, Lavanini, Matera, Desio, Leguizamon
Replacements: Montoya, Botta, Chaparro, Petti, Senatore, Bertranou, Hernandez, Moyano
