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Curry to become youngest England debutant since Wilkinson
By Jack Davies
Tom Curry will become the youngest England debutant since Jonny Wilkinson in Saturday's Test against Argentina after he was named as one of four uncapped players in Eddie Jones' starting XV.
The Sale Sharks flanker, 18, will make his senior international bow five days before his 19th birthday - 46 days older than legendary fly-half Wilkinson when he first appeared against Ireland in April 1998.
Curry is joined by fellow first-timers Alex Lozowski, Harry Williams and Mark Wilson in the starting line-up, while Sale colleague Denny Solomona is among seven new faces on the bench after recovering from a foot injury.
Jones is missing a host of familiar names for the trip to South America, which runs alongside the British and Irish Lions' tour of New Zealand, but is able to call upon captain Dylan Hartley and experienced figures such as Mike Brown, George Ford and Danny Care.
"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 XV: Mike Brown, Marland Yarde, Henry Slade, Alex Lozowski, Jonny May, George Ford, Danny Care; Ellis Genge, Dylan Hartley (captain), Harry Williams, Joe Launchbury, Charlie Ewels, Mark Wilson, Tom Curry, Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: Jack Singleton, Matt Mullan, Will Collier, Nick Isiekwe, Don Armand, Jack Maunder, Piers Francis, Denny Solomona.
Argentina: Joaquín Tuculet, Matías Moroni, Matías Orlando, Jerónimo de la Fuente, Emiliano Boffelli, Nicolás Sánchez, Martín Landajo, Juan Manuel Leguizamón, Javier Ortega Desio, Pablo Matera, Tomás Lavanini, Matías Alemanno, Enrique Pieretto, Agustín Creevy, Lucas Noguera Paz
Replacements: Julián Montoya, Santiago García Botta, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Guido Petti, Leonardo Senatore, Gonzalo Bertanou, Juan Martín Hernández, Ramiro Moyano
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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