Elliot Daly is poised to remain a central figure for England well into the build-up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup after earning a recall to start the final autumn series match against Argentina. The experienced back, who returns to action after recovering from a broken arm, is one of six changes named for the weekend encounter, signalling strong trust from head coach Steve Borthwick.
Despite his lengthy layoff, Daly has quickly regained full fitness and impressed the coaching staff in training. Reports indicate he recently hit speeds close to his personal best, reinforcing Borthwick’s belief that the 33-year-old still has several high-performance years ahead. His versatility, experience, and game intelligence continue to make him a valuable asset in the national setup.
Daly resumes his role on the left wing, bringing with him the benefit of Lions Test experience, 73 caps, a powerful left boot, aerial strength, and the ability to cover multiple positions. While his return strengthens the squad, it also delays opportunities for England’s younger wings such as Henry Arundell, Cadan Murley, Noah Caluori and Adam Radwan, who may have hoped to step up following injuries to Tom Roebuck and Tommy Freeman.
In midfield, Henry Slade also makes a return after an impressive club season. Despite being overlooked throughout the autumn, he steps back into the side following an injury to Ollie Lawrence. His strong showing during England’s summer tour reaffirmed his quality, with the coaching team acknowledging his professionalism and influence.
The selection also highlights a commitment to growing depth in key positions. Rising talent Asher Opoku-Fordjour, still only 21, gets the nod at tighthead prop as England continue to build long-term strength in the front row. At scrum-half, Ben Spencer starts ahead of Alex Mitchell, with his tactical kicking expected to be crucial given the wet weather forecast for the weekend.
Charlie Ewels and Theo Dan return to the bench, with the latter covering the hooker role in the absence of Jamie George. Off the field, England’s staff have been in dialogue with World Rugby officials to ensure clarity on refereeing interpretations after several high-profile red-card controversies. The team believes they have a clear understanding of officiating expectations heading into Sunday’s fixture.
With a blend of experience and emerging talent, England aim to close their autumn campaign strongly while laying foundations for the years ahead.
