Key events
England are saying goodbye to a few legends of the game. Danny Care and Dan Cole will exit stage left. Courtney Lawes has already done so, having been left out (or having opted out) of tonight’s match.
Ben Youngs will also have one final crack. Read Gerard Meagher’s interview with the veteran scrummie:
England select a side full of running
Marcus Smith at full back, Manu Tuilagi in the centre (for the last time?), Henry Arundell tearing it up on the wing.
What’s not to love. Well, apart from this being a third/fourth play-off, but let’s not get bogged down in details.
England: Marcus Smith; Freddie Steward, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Henry Arundell; Owen Farrell (captain), Ben Youngs; Ellis Genge, Theo Dan, Will Stuart; Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl
Replacements: Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Dan Cole, David Ribbans, Lewis Ludlam, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence.
Preamble
Hello everyone and welcome to the amuse-bouche of this weekend’s fare.
If it’s a game no team really wants to play then it is absolutely a team neither side wants to lose. It would be easy to assume that both England and Argentina will sleepwalk their way through this bronze medal showdown but that’s not always how it works.
Forget Argentina’s desire for revenge after their pool stage loss to tonight’s opponents, and forget England’s intent to bid adieu to a few legends of the Red Rose, this is a Test match. At a World Cup. Between two proud nations. I’d be surprised if this didn’t have at least some spark.
All eyes on Tom Curry, of course, after a very difficult week. More than most out there, he’ll be keen to get on with some rugby.
My name is Dan. Just two more games of what has been a sensational World Cup. Got something you want to share with the group? Drop me a line.
Kick-off at 9pm local time, 8pm BST.
Teams and updates to follow.