Elliot Daly looks likely to remain a pivotal member of England’s squad through to the 2027 World Cup after being recalled to start the final autumn series game, against Argentina on Sunday.
Daly is among six changes unveiled by the head coach, Steve Borthwick, who is backing the 33-year-old player to prolong his Test career for at least the next two years.
Daly has not played any competitive rugby since breaking his arm against the Queensland Reds on the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia, but Borthwick has wasted no time reinstating him on the left wing and believes the versatile Saracens three-quarter still has plenty of international rugby in him.
“I think he is in as good a shape as I have ever seen him,” Borthwick said, having announced a reshuffled selection with Henry Slade, Ben Spencer, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie restored to the starting XV. “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.”
Add Daly’s Lions Test experience and 73 England caps, his ability to play multiple positions, his high‑ball aptitude plus a raking left boot and the basis for Borthwick’s faith is understandable. It is less uplifting news, however, for the clutch of younger players who might conceivably have hoped to benefit from the injuries to Tom Roebuck and Tommy Freeman. For now Henry Arundell, Cadan Murley, Noah Caluori and Adam Radwan will have to remain patient.
If they are looking for a positive role model in that regard they need only turn to Slade, who has not had a sniff this autumn despite his outstanding club form for Exeter. Now, following an injury to Ollie Lawrence, he is finally back in England’s midfield alongside Fraser Dingwall with the head coach singling out both his attitude and enduring ability for praise. “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.”
Elsewhere the team to face the Pumas reflects the management’s desire to continue developing depth in certain positions. Joe Heyes has been excellent for England over the past six months while Will Stuart has been good off the bench but, for this game, Borthwick has handed the tighthead jersey to Sale’s Opoku‑Fordjour, who is still just 21.
England v Argentina, Allianz Stadium, 4.10pm GMT, Sunday 23 November
Steward (Leicester); Feyi-Waboso (Exeter), Slade (Exeter), Dingwall (Northampton), Daly (Saracens); Ford (Sale), Spencer (Bath); Genge (Bristol), Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Itoje (Saracens, capt), Coles (Northampton), Pepper (Bath), Underhill (Bath), Earl (Saracens). Replacements Dan (Saracens), Baxter (Harlequins), Stuart (Bath), Ewels (Bath), Curry (Sale), Pollock (Northampton), Mitchell (Northampton), M Smith (Harlequins).
At scrum-half, Spencer has been invited to show he can be as influential from the start as he is for Bath, with Alex Mitchell shifting to the bench. It may not be entirely coincidental that the weekend weather forecast is not brilliant, making Spencer’s outstanding box-kicking even more of a potential weapon. His clubmate Charlie Ewels is also back on the bench, as is the Saracens hooker Theo Dan in the absence of the hamstrung Jamie George.
Borthwick, meanwhile, has revealed that England have been seeking clarity about how the French referee Pierre Brousset wants to officiate in certain areas against a backdrop of inconsistent red-card decisions in recent weeks.
The Springboks lock Franco Mostert, sent off against Italy, is the latest player to have had his red card rescinded but Borthwick says his players are clear about how they must proceed this weekend. “I was in contact with [World Rugby’s] Joël Jutge and Phil Davies on Tuesday around a couple of matters, just seeking clarity,” Borthwick said.
“From my point of view, the relationship we have with World Rugby and understanding the officiating is excellent. The referee has reviewed our games and has been really clear in his feedback with us on things we’re doing well and things he would like us to tend to. We go into this weekend really clear about what they’re after.”
