England travel to Argentina for their second meeting in four days, this time in the rugby Nations Championship. The match follows Argentina's dramatic football World Cup semi-final win over England on Wednesday night.
Match Details and How to Watch
The game takes place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. Kick-off is at 8:10pm BST (4:10pm local time).
UK viewers can watch live and free on ITV1, with coverage starting at 7:30pm BST. A live stream is available via the ITVX website and app (registration required). Standard Sport will also provide a live blog.
Team News and Lineups
England head coach Steve Borthwick has named an unchanged starting XV from the 73-8 demolition of Fiji. Henry Pollock, who scored a hat-trick off the bench, remains among the replacements. Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori, who scored on debut last week, also stay on the bench. Northampton loosehead Emmanuel Iyogun is in line for his debut after replacing George Kloska among the replacements. Alex Mitchell (hamstring) has not travelled; Ben Spencer covers scrum-half. Tom Curry, who clashed with Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi in November, is also on the bench.
Argentina make two changes from their 35-21 win over Wales: Matias Moroni replaces Lucio Cinti at outside centre, and Mayco Vivas starts at loosehead for Boris Wenger. Matias Alemanno retains his place after clearing concussion protocols. Pedro Delgado, Efrain Elias and Joaquin Moro join the bench.
Argentina XV: S Carreras; Delguy, Moroni, Piccardo, M Carreras; Albornoz, Garcia; Vivas, Montoya (c), Rapetti; Petti, Alemanno; Grondona, Kremer, Oviedo. Replacements: Ruiz, Wenger, Delgado, Elias, Matera, Moro, Benitez Cruz, Cinti.
England XV: M Smith; Freeman, Slade, Atkinson, Feyi-Waboso; F Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George (c), Heyes; Coles, Martin; Chessum, Pepper, Earl. Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Iyogun, Opoku-Fordjour, Curry, Pollock, Spencer, Janse van Rensburg, Caluori.
Head-to-Head and Prediction
England have won 15 of the last 16 meetings, including the last five in a row since a 30-29 defeat at Twickenham in 2022. Overall, England lead 24 wins to Argentina's 5, with 1 draw. The last clash in November saw England win 27-23.
Argentina will be buoyed by a fervent home crowd and the football semi-final drama. England's hotel in Buenos Aires was moved to avoid potential celebrations if Argentina beat Spain in the football final on Sunday. Despite that, England's 11-try performance against Fiji gives them momentum. A close contest is expected, with England predicted to win by three points.
Match Odds
Odds from UK betting sites: Argentina to win 6/5, England to win 8/11, Draw 20/1. Subject to change.
