England should cruise to an easy win against Chile on Saturday at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille at 16h45. However, England and Chile arrive in Lille with very different aims for the rest of the Rugby World Cup 2023.
Steve Borthwick’s side are looking to take a decisive third step in their aim to reach the knockout phase of the tournament. Chile’s overall ambitions may be more modest on their Rugby World Cup debut, but they’re no less important. They want to show they can compete with the very best in the world.
The big news among the 12 changes to England’s starting line-up in Lille is the return of captain Owen Farrell, after suspension, at 10. George Ford, scorer of 67 percent of England’s points so far, is on the bench, while Marcus Smith starts at 15, and Jack Willis gets his first start of the tournament.
England's defence coach Kevin Sinfield was excited regarding the return of Owen Farrel. “[He’s] just a wonderful leader. Speaks volumes that he’s had a massive impact on the group without playing the game. He’s been running the opposition team in training for us. To have him back is great.”
A shock is unlikely, admittedly. But Chile made both Japan and Samoa work harder than they expected for their wins. They will be looking to cause England more than a few problems here.
Head coach Pablo Lemoine has made nine changes to his starting XV from their 43-10 loss to Samoa, with only Matias Dittus, Clemente Saavedra, Rodrigo Fernandez, Matias Garafulic, Domingo Saavedra and captain Martín Sigren retaining their places. Fullback Francisco Urroz, meanwhile, will make his Rugby World Cup debut - eight years after his first test appearance, against Brazil in 2015.
Lemoine said "They have a pragmatic, organised game. A lot of kicking game, a lot of strategy, with high-class players looking to counter-attack. I imagine a lot of aggressiveness in the forwards. We have been watching them, we saw their games with Argentina and Japan, and ultimately we will have to be intelligent and not commit penalties because it is an important platform for them. I hope we can accomplish that part of the plan. You have to play and enjoy it, because it is surely the most important game in Chile's history."
Teams:
England: 1 Bevan Rodd, 2 Theo Dan, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 David Ribbans, 5 George Martin, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 7 Jack Willis, 8 Billy Vunipola, 9 Danny Care, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 11 Max Malins, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 13 Elliot Daly, 14 Henry Arundell, 15 Marcus Smith. Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 George Ford, 23 Joe Marchant.
Chile: 1 Salvador Lues, 2 Augusto Bohme, 3 Matias Dittus, 4 Clemente Saavedra, 5 Javier Eissmann, 6 Martín Sigren (c), 7 Ignacio Silva, 8 Alfonso Escobar, 9 Benjamin Videla, 10 Rodrigo Fernandez, 11 Franco Velarde, 12 Matias Garafulic, 13 Domingo Saavedra, 14 Cristobal Game, 15 Francisco Urroz. Replacements: 16 Tomas Dussaillant, 17 Vittorio Lastra, 18 Inaki Gurruchaga, 19 Pablo Huete, 20 Thomas Orchard, 21 Raimundo Martínez, 22 Lukas Carvallo, 23 Inaki Ayarza.