Marcus Smith is back at fullback in one of eight changes to England’s starting lineup for the World Cup bronze playoff against Argentina on Friday night.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has made five changes to his forward pack and three in the backs following last weekend’s semi-final loss against South Africa.

Having missed the semi-final due to concussion, Smith returns to the starting lineup at fullback, with Freddie Steward shifting to the wing as a result.

They are joined by youngster Henry Arundell in a new-look back three for England.

After scoring five tries in his only World Cup appearance so far against Chile, wing Arundell will look to surpass Chris Ashton’s England record of six tries scored in 2011. He could equal for most tries in one World Cup tournament with a hat-trick on Saturday.

The other change to the backline sees veteran scrumhalf Ben Youngs earn his first start at the 2023 World Cup after playing 53 minutes in total off the bench across two appearances.

Tom Curry will earn his 50th test cap for England and the flanker is joined in the starting back row by Sam Underhill, who plays his first World Cup game since the 2019 final in Yokohama.

Ollie Chessum returns to the starting second-row after playing off the bench against the Springboks, while there is a new front row of Ellis Genge, hooker Theo Dan and tighthead prop Will Stuart, who earns his first World Cup start after three appearances as a substitute.

There is no place in the matchday-23 for Courtney Lawes, after the utility forward announced his retirement from international rugby after the World Cup.

England – 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Freddie Steward, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Sam Underhill, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Theo Dan, 1 Ellis Genge.
Subs: 16 Jamie George, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Dan Cole, 19 David Ribbans, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Lawrence.

Photo: Paul Harding/Getty Images