England prop Dan Cole warns Argentina ‘will be great’ and can unleash ‘a bit of magic’ before Rugby World Cup opener
Dan Cole is under no illusions about the problems Argentina will pose for England in their Rugby World Cup Pool A opener, but believes they have the experience to take them be very useful.
England face Argentina in Marseille on Saturday evening (8 p.m.); the latter being the big favorites of the confrontation.
The South Americans come into this match after an encouraging summer which saw them beat Australia away in the Rugby Championship and lose by a point to reigning world champions South Africa in another match. Their last match saw them beat Spain 62-3.
Michael Cheika’s side boasts a plethora of threats in their squad, with advanced pack weight matched by jaw-dropping defensive play.
And speaking of their next opponent, England prop Cole, who will start in the opening group match against Argentina, was nothing short of respectful.
Dan Cole has warned his England teammates of the threat Argentina pose on Saturday.
Argentina face England in their opening match of the Rugby World Cup and are listed as favourites.
“They are a very difficult team to play against, they have been tight in every game they have played,” he said. Sports Mail at the Wear the Rose event at the O2 Arena last month.
“I know Julian Montoya, the captain, well, they have a very advanced pack and a very good scorer (Emiliano Boffelli) and a bit of magic in the outside backs who can cause problems.
“We have watched them from afar and know they will be a formidable opponent.”
For Cole, 36, this will likely be his last Rugby World Cup campaign. Having been part of the previous three England squads in 2011, 2015 and 2019, he knows well what it takes to go far in a tournament like this.
England head coach Steve Borthwick’s preparations have been far from perfect with three defeats in four in their warm-up matches, losing key players to injuries and suffering suspensions in favor of captain Owen Farrell and only number 8 Billy Vunipola.
The 36-year-old believes England can surprise many, citing the depth of the squad.
But despite this, Cole believes the team has a good balance that will stand them in good stead over the next couple of months.
“There’s a lot of experience,” he said when asked how it compared to previous Rugby World Cup camps.
“You look at the 2019 team and there are a lot of players who played in that final who are here now and there are a lot of young guys who have succeeded and gained experience over the last couple of years, like Freddie Steward, Ollie Chessum. – they complete the squad and bring some youngsters to the table, which is great.
“The process was accelerated with Steve arriving before the Six Nations, but he knew it, the team knew it and we tried to work as hard as possible to prepare for what was to come.”
Veteran prop Cole spoke to Mail Sport at the Wear the Rose event at the O2 Arena
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