After the heartbreak of a 16-15 semi-final defeat to South Africa, England will be looking to finish their 2023 World Cup on a high as they face Argentina in the third-place playoff on Friday.

The loss to the Boks will hurt for some time but England can begin the healing process with victory over the Pumas, while sending some retiring stars off with a win.

Team news

England head coach Steve Borthwick has made eight changes from the side that suffered semi-final defeat to the Boks.

Marcus Smith comes in at full-back, with Henry Arundell returning on the wing.

Scrum-half Ben Youngs makes his first start of this World Cup in what will be his final England appearance before retiring from Test rugby.

Ellis Genge starts at loosehead prop, while the back-row will be made up of Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Ben Earl.

Meanwhile, Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has made three changes from the side that was comfortably beaten 44-6 by New Zealand in their semi-final in Saint-Denis.

Pedro Rubiolo starts at lock, Tomas Cubelli is named at scrum-half , while Jeronimo de la Fuente has earned a starting role at inside centre.

England -8.5 handicap @ 20/21

England and Argentina met in their very first pool game of the World Cup, with the English running out 27-10 winners, despite losing Curry to a red card in the third minute of the game.

The Pumas fluffed their lines on that opening night and should put up a sterner contest against Borthwick’s side on Friday night.

However, England have improved themselves throughout the tournament and should have enough quality to come out on top and cover the handicap in this one to claim the bronze medal.

Henry Arundell anytime tryscorer @ 6/5

A player who looks to have a bright international future ahead of him, Racing 92 winger Arundell is one to look out for on Friday night.

It’s been argued Arundell should have played a bigger role at this World Cup, but the 20-year-old, who scored five tries in one game against Chile in the pool stages, gets a chance to impress for England ahead of the 2024 Six Nations.

With electric pace and strength to break through the tackle, Arundell is well priced at 6/5 to score anytime against Pumas in this third-place playoff.

Match odds

England are the favourites to come out on top in the 80 minutes at 1/3, with Argentina at 12/5 to claim the victory at the Stade de France. A tie on the night in 80 minutes is available at 20/1.

In the winning margin market, the shortest price available is 4/1 for England to win by 6-10 points inclusive.