England face Argentina in rugby Test as football World Cup semi-final looms in Atlanta

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Saturday’s Test arrives in wake of football showdown

Flanker keen to show last year’s series win was no fluke

For better or worse England have chosen an interesting week to be in Argentina. Before the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta there is widespread optimism that fútbol is coming home and Steve Borthwick’s players are located right in the mixer in downtown Buenos Aires.

There is certainly a great deal more public anticipation in the air than there is for Saturday’s rugby Test in Santiago del Estero. The competitive rivalry between the two countries, however, burns brightly regardless of the shape of the ball and English players unfamiliar with fervent Argentinian crowds are being advised to brace themselves for what is coming.

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