Saracens’ Lozowski set for England debut
England's Alex Lozowski during a training session at Pennyhill Park, Bagshot (pic Adam Davy/PA) - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Uncapped Isiekwe on bench to face Argentina
England head coach Eddie Jones has named Saracens Alex Lozowski as one of four debutants in his starting XV to face Argentina in the first Test in San Juan on Saturday.
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs) and Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons) will also win their first caps, while Lozowski’s Saracens’ team-mate Nick Isiekwe is one of seven uncapped players on the bench, having played against the Barbarians at Twickenham last month.
Dylan Hartley captains the side in what will be his 85th cap for England and 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.
There are a total of 345 caps among the starting XV, despite 30 players being unavailable for the tour. Marland Yarde (Harlequins) comes back into the side on the right wing for the first time since the 2016 Old Mutual Wealth Series alongside vice-captains George Ford (Bath Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins) and Mike Brown (Harlequins).
“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.
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“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’s match against Argentina will be broadcast live on BBC2, with an 8.15pm kick-off.
England: 15. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 60 caps), 14. Marland Yarde (Harlequins, 11 caps), 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps), 12. Alex Lozowski (Saracens, uncapped), 11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 25 caps), 10. George Ford, (Bath Rugby, 35 caps), 9. Danny Care, vc (Harlequins, 71 caps), 1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap), 2. Dylan Hartley, (captain, Northampton Saints, 84 caps), 3. Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), 4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 42 caps), 5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 3 caps), 6. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped), 7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, uncapped), 8. Nathan Hughes (Wasps, 8 caps). Replacements: 16. Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors, uncapped), 17. Matt Mullan (Wasps, 15 caps), 18. Will Collier (Harlequins, uncapped), 19. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, uncapped), 20. Don Armand (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), 21. Jack Maunder (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), 22. Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, uncapped), 23. Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks, uncapped).
