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Steve Borthwick insists England are ready to defy gloomy predictions for their World Cup by delivering a reaction against Argentina in Saturday\u2019s pivotal opener.<\/p>\n
The Pumas are in the rare position of being assigned favourites for the main event of Pool D, based on a strong year under the guidance of Michael Cheika and their 30-29 victory at Twickenham in November.<\/p>\n
England, meanwhile, have gone into freefall following a run of five defeats in six Tests that no longer makes qualification for the knockout phase appear to be the formality it once was.<\/p>\n
Borthwick, who has named Alex Mitchell at scrum-half and Tom Curry at openside for the Marseille showdown, insists the low expectations have sent ripples of indignation through the squad.<\/p>\n
\u201cI sense there is a feeling among the players they\u2019ve been written off too early. People have called time on them a bit too early,\u201d England\u2019s head coach said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI sense the frustration about what people have been saying about them and right now I have an expectation that they will go and perform with the quality that they have. I sense from them that there\u2019s a real determination to go and put their best performances on the park.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a lot of class in this squad. The players have a hell of a lot more to go. They can\u2019t wait to get stuck in on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur job is put in a performance that this team is capable of and I know these players are capable of. I know these players are determined to deliver on Saturday night. That\u2019s our job now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nWe are going out all guns blazing and we are going to give it everything we have got<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Borthwick\u2019s theme of an England side ready to exit their slump in time to make an impact at the World Cup was taken up by captain Courtney Lawes, who is leading the team in the absence of the suspended Owen Farrell.<\/p>\n
When asked if the players are angry at recent performances, Lawes replied: \u201cThere\u2019s definitely a frustration. We feel it as much as anybody.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in the thick of it and we are doing everything we can to make sure, come this weekend, we are firing on all cylinders. It\u2019s going to be a hell of a spectacle, so enjoy it. We are going out all guns blazing and we are going to give it everything we have got.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the first game of the World Cup and we\u2019re going to be well up for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Offering hope to England supporters is the selection of Mitchell ahead of Danny Care and Ben Youngs, with the 26-year-old half-back a more dynamic presence than his veteran rivals for the jersey.<\/p>\n
The tempo and energy brought by Mitchell, both through his delivery and with the ball in hand, was one of the few highlights to emerge from a chastening defeat by Fiji last month.<\/p>\n
Remarkably he starts in England\u2019s biggest game since the 2019 World Cup final despite being overlooked for their original 33-man squad, with an injury to Jack van Poortvliet offering his route to France.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlex was a dangerous running threat against Fiji; everyone knows he is a dangerous running threat,\u201d Borthwick said. \u201cImmense credit to Mitch in that he was incredibly disappointed not to make the original 33-man squad. An opportunity opened up.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the positives that came out of that Fiji game was his performance. He played well and he\u2019s trained exceptionally well. He\u2019s ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curry\u2019s influence on the team is evident through his promotion to the back row despite having missed the entire build-up campaign because of an ankle injury sustained in training.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe have got players throughout this 23 who have performed on the biggest of stages and Tom Curry is one of them,\u201d Borthwick said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s in fantastic physical condition; he missed a period of training but his movement is exceptional.\u201d<\/p>\n
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