Elliot Daly returns as England make six changes for clash against Argentina
Elliot Daly returns for England as Steve Borthwick makes six changes ahead of Argentina Test.
©PA
Elliot Daly will make his comeback for England this Sunday, having been selected on the wing for their final autumn Test against Argentina at Allianz Stadium.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has made six changes to his line-up, showing significant faith in Daly and backing the 33-year-old to prolong his international career for at least a couple more years, with the 2027 World Cup coming into view.
Although Daly has been sidelined since fracturing his arm against the Queensland Reds during the British & Irish Lions tour, Borthwick has immediately restored him to the starting XV.
"I think he is in as good a shape as I have ever seen him," Borthwick said after naming a reconfigured side that also features the returns of Henry Slade, Ben Spencer, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie.
"I think he hit very close to his fastest speed ever the other day in training. He can’t wait to go. So I’ve no doubt [about] the next couple of years until the World Cup. Somebody who reads the game as well as him can go even beyond that.
"I always think those smart players can keep playing even later in their careers, because they have such intelligence about the game. I think Elliot’s in that category."
Daly’s 73 England caps, Lions Test experience, positional versatility, and powerful kicking game all underline why Borthwick continues to view him as such a valuable asset.
The former Wasps back has long been highly regarded by his coaches - a reputation that stretches back to his school days at Whitgift, where he helped secure consecutive U18 Daily Mail Cup titles in 2010 and 2011.
As for the other changes made by Borthwick, Slade, who has been overlooked all autumn despite some excellent form for Exeter, returns to partner Fraser Dingwall in midfield, and the England boss highlighted both his professionalism and his quality.
"When he played the first Test in Argentina in the summer, I thought it was one of the best games he has played for England,” Borthwick said. “I thought he was absolutely fantastic."
In other areas, the side chosen to take on Argentina underlines the coaching staff’s aim of broadening their options. Joe Heyes and Will Stuart have both contributed well recently, but Borthwick has given the tighthead shirt to Sale’s 21-year-old Opoku-Fordjour.
At scrum-half, Spencer has been tasked with demonstrating the same quality he shows as a starter for Bath, with Alex Mitchell moving to the bench.
Bath lock Charlie Ewels also returns among the replacements, as does Saracens hooker Theo Dan, with Jamie George unavailable because of a hamstring injury.
England XV: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Guy Pepper, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge
Reserves: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Alex Mitchell, 23 Marcus Smith
