England take on Argentina at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades on Saturday in the final assignment of their July tour.
Here, we look at five talking points heading into a match they start as odds-on favourites to win.
Finish with a bang
The climax to a 25,000-mile expedition across three continents concludes in northern Argentina as England complete the most brutal itinerary of any team in the opening phase of the Nations Championship. Many players – especially British and Irish Lions stars such as Ellis Genge, Ben Earl and Tommy Freeman who toured Australia last year – will be operating on fumes but must find the reserves of energy to answer captain Jamie George’s call to “finish with a bang”.
Unchanged England
The clamour to start Henry Pollock in the back row following his electric hat-trick has been resisted by Borthwick, who retains the same starting XV against the Pumas. Not only do England believe they have struck the right balance in Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper and Earl, but they also see Pollock’s dynamism as being most effective in the second half when tiring legs can be exploited. Number eight is Pollock’s most likely position but Earl’s consistent excellence and enormous ball-carrying contribution make him indispensable.
Smith in the driving seat
This time last year Fin Smith was part of a Lions tour that was passing him by while George Ford played his way back to the top of the fly-half pecking order by piloting England to successive Test wins in Argentina. Fast forward 12 months and Smith has taken full control of the playmaking duties, following up his brave and inventive display against South Africa a fortnight ago by orchestrating the 11-try destruction of Fiji in which he earned the man of the match award. Another impressive afternoon would cement his position as England’s general.
Pumas sharpen their claws
England posted victories in La Plata and San Juan in 2025, leaving the Pumas gunning for revenge. The Borthwick era has produced five wins in as many clashes with Argentina, including two at the 2023 World Cup and a fiery triumph at Allianz Stadium last autumn when Tom Curry was involved in a tunnel bust-up with Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi. A fierce rugby rivalry has developed between the nations and England are braced for a hostile reception at the Estadio Unico Madre de Ciudades.
World Cup fever
Argentina’s victory over England in the World Cup semi-finals has gripped a nation where football is a religion and millions will descend on to the streets of Buenos Aires should they win Sunday’s showpiece against Spain. But for a couple of hours on Saturday attention will turn to rugby and the opportunity to pile further misery on one of their greatest rivals.