England XV announcement: George Ford to win 100th cap as Steve Borthwick names side for Argentina clash, two debutants start in La Plata

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England are set to take on Argentina as they embark on their two-Test summer series. Head coach Steve Borthwick has named a strong XV containing George Ford and Jamie George as co-captains. There are also some intriguing names across the rest of the 23, with three players set to win their first caps for their country. Argentina are coming off a memorable win over the Lions in Dublin.

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England have named their starting XV to play Argentina in the first summer Test this Saturday, with George Ford co-captaining the side on his 100th cap, and two debutants set to start.

Ford made his debut for England all the way back in 2014, and will accomplish a significant milestone in La Plata as he marshals a youthful side.

Head coach Steve Borthwick said: "We’re excited to be playing in Argentina and to test ourselves against a strong, in-form side.

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"Having beaten the British & Irish Lions in Dublin, they come into this series as favourites.

"They’re brilliantly led by Julian Montoya, and we know it will be a huge challenge."

Bath wing Will Muir and Gloucester centre Seb Atkinson are the two men set to make their international bows from the start, while Guy Pepper - player of the match in the recent Gallagher Premiership final - looks likely to do the same from the bench.

On Ford’s milestone, Borthwick added: "George has been a standout player for over a decade.

"Reaching 100 caps is a remarkable achievement, and it speaks volumes about both the professional and the person he is.

"Everyone in the squad is incredibly proud to share this moment with him."

Jack van Poortvliet and Ford's co-captain Jamie George had spent time training with the British & Irish Lions last month, but have joined up with England for this tour, with the former on the bench as Bath's Ben Spencer starts at scrum-half.

And there is no place for former England skipper Owen Farrell, who instead finds himself flying out to Australia to join up with the Lions.

England XV to play Argentina

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 36 caps)
14. Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 4 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 72 caps)
12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
11. Will Muir (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 99 caps) – co-captain
9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 8 caps)
1. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 11 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 101 caps) – co-captain
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps)
4. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 31 caps)
5. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)
6. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 11 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
8. Tom Willis (Saracens, 6 caps)

Replacements:
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 17 caps)
17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 7 caps)
18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
19. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 15 caps)
20. Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
21. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 20 caps)
22. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
23. Cadan Murley (Harlequins, 1 cap)

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