Owen Farrell named captain by Eddie Jones for Autumn Nations opener against Argentina

Ahead of England’s opening game of the Autumn Nations Series against Argentina on Sunday, Eddie Jones has named Owen Farrell as captain. 

It is nearly 12 months since Farrell last captained his country, the 31-year-old having last done so in a 32-15 win over Australia.

Injured in that game, the captaincy was taken on by Courtney Lawes, the Northampton Saints flanker maintaining that role over the summer. 

With Lawes unavailable for selection as he goes through return-to-play protocols after a concussion, 97-cap Farrell will retake the reins following his own concussion against Exeter Chiefs two weekends ago.

“Owen’s come through the protocols really well,” Eddie Jones said on Friday morning. “He is getting close to 100 caps, he’s the third-highest points scorer in Test Rugby and a significant player for us.

“He’s come back in the squad, ably supported by Ellis [Genge] and Jack [Nowell] who have done a great job in his absence moulding the team, and Owen will certainly add a lot of competitive spirit to the game on Sunday.”

Farrell will start this game at inside centre alongside Manu Tuilagi, while the strings will be pulled at half-back by Ben Youngs and Marcus Smith. It is a combination that has got plenty of tongues wagging, the potential of that trio palpable should the trio become cohesive in a short amount of time.

“It’s been delightful to have those three together, I’m not sure the last time they played together,” Jones said, “I know Marcus and Owen have only played four games [together] and Manu certainly wasn’t involved in Australia, so to have him back brings a lot of power and pace and experience.

“He’s a very experienced Test player. And to have Sladey on the bench finishing the game gives us great versatility.

“They’ve only had three training runs but each time they get a bit sharper, a bit more cohesive. We’re looking forward to them playing, but to do that we have to get quality ball upfront. You can’t play unless you do that.”

Elsewhere in the backs, Joe Cokanasiga retakes his place on the wing. Dropped by Eddie Jones in the summer following the first Test of England’s series in Australia, the Bath man will play in a back-three that also contains Freddie Steward and Jack Nowell.

In the pack, Northampton’s Alex Coles will make his international debut at lock alongside Jonny Hill. 

Coles’ place in the squad means that Maro Itoje will move to blindside flanker, where he plays alongside Tom Curry and Billy Vunipola.

Loosehead prop Ellis Genge is names as a vice-captain for this game, the front-row completed by Luke Cowan-Dickie and Kyle Sinckler.

As was reported earlier in the week, England have opted for a 6-2 split on the bench. Jack Singleton, Mako Vunipola and Joe Heyes are front-row cover, David Ribbans will earn his Test debut, while Sam Simmonds and the unattached Jack Willis are also named.

Jack van Poortvliet is the scrum-half replacement, while Henry Slade who was omitted from Eddie Jones’ original squad rounds out the squad from bench.

This will be the first time since the Rugby World Cup in Japan that the two teams have come face to face, Eddie Jones in his opening statement even describing the fixture as a “dress rehearsal” for next year when the two teams will begin their World Cup campaign against one another in Marseilles.

England starting XV: Freddie Steward; Jack Nowell (VC), Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (C), Joe Cokanasiga; Marcus Smith, Ben Youngs; Ellis Genge (VC), Luke Cowan-Dickie, Kyle Sinckler, Alex Coles, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola

Replacements: Jack Singleton, Mako Vunipola, Joe Heyes, David Ribbans, Sam Simmonds, Jack Willis, Jack van Poortvliet, Henry Slade