Hooker
Jamie George - Curtis Langdon - Theo Dan
Gabriel Oghre was unlucky to miss out but this is a strong trio in the absence of Cowan-Dickie. George is a co-captain on this tour and is the likely starter. Behind him, Dan and Langdon will battle for the spot left on the bench in a bid to cement themselves as third choice in more regular England squads when Cowan-Dickie returns.
Prop
FIn Baxter - Bevan Rodd - Asher Opoku-Fordjour - Afolabi Fasogbon - Joe Heyes - Trevor Davison
Manny Iyogun would've been in this squad if he hadn't sustained an injury. His replacement was, in some ways, a surprise. Afolabi Fasogbon was called into the squad despite not actually playing the same position. Iyogun is a loosehead which means that Opoku-Fordjour willl likely operate as cover at loosehead with Fasogbon competing at tighthead where he is more comfortable. Baxter usually sits behind Genge so this tour represents a chance for him to really make his mark on the position. On the other side, Heyes is yet to completely nail down his spot in the regular 23-man starting unit but has consistently been in it. On this tour, he'll be up against two youngsters who are legitimate threats to his spot so he'll need to step up massively - he is capable of doing that be he'll have to do it quickly.
Lock
Alex Coles - Nick Isiekwe - Arthur Clark - Charlie Ewels
This is the position which is suffering most from player absences. Ewels, Isiekwe and Coles all have international experience in limited amounts but none are regulars in the side. Itoje, Martin and Chessum are all out so there will be plenty of opportunities coming up. It's also possible that Chandler Cunningham-South will be tried out in the second row which is something that he has done for club and country this season.
Flanker
Ben Curry - Sam Underhill - Guy Pepper - Chandler Cunningham-South - Ted Hill
The natural blindside flankers in this squad are Hill and Cunningham-South. CCS has spent more time in the team and has been consistently impressive. Hill deserves more time in the team and will probably get it. He looked good in the uncapped game against France XV and is ready to push on against Argentina.
Sam Underhill is going to be suspended for a significant part of this tour so the door is open for Curry and Pepper. Curry is the likely starter and deserves his chance in the spotlight - the only reason he hasn't already become an international star is the ridiculous depth at this position. It has nothing to do with his ability. Behind him, Guy Pepper is another player who is good enough to start consistently at the highest level but has also been surpassed by others. He is still young and probably the future of this position.
Number 8
Tom Willis - Alex Dombrandt
Tom Willis has managed to force his way into the team despite the depth in the back row already causing Earl to play out of position. Willis can use this tour to cement himself in that starting spot as a point of difference in the pack. His size and carrying power are traits that England can't otherwise replicate so he can become invaluable if he rises to the occasion. Dombrandt faces a very different challenge; he needs to finally show that he can make a positive impact on this team. His performance against France XV has helped but he'll need to do more.
Scrum half
Jack Van Poortvliet - Ben Spencer - Harry Randall
Alex Mitchell is away with the Lions so this competition is potentially wide open. Jack Van Poortvliet looks like the starter who is trusted by Steve Borthwick but Ben Spencer is a bit of a wildcard at this position. Randall has struggled for England due to the contrasting philosophies between England and Bristol. Randall suits Bristol's high-possession, less defensive kicking style of play which is very different to England's style of play.
Fly half
George Ford - Charlie Atkinson
George Ford will join Jamie George as a co-captain on this tour and will be a key leader for a developing team. Charlie Atkinson is probably going to have to wait until the USA game to get a cap and is more likely here as a default option given that he struggles for starts at fly half for Gloucester,
Centre
Seb Atkinson - Fraser Dingwall -Henry Slade - Max Ojomoh - Oscar Beard - Luke Northmore
Seb Atkinson looked good against France XV and will be looking to get a run in a team which is crying out for a specialist inside centre. Slade is the senior player who will be the leader of the group with plenty of players vying for spots. Dingwall will be under pressure but has the trust of Borthwick. Northmore will also be competing for the inside centre spot whereas Beard and Ojomoh will be looking to challenge Slade for the outside centre spot.
Wing
Tom Roebuck - Immanuel Feyi-Waboso - Cadan Murley - Will Muir
Feyi-Waboso is going to be suspended for the big games after a poor tackle against France XV so some spots are open. The likely starting duo will be Murley on the left and Roebuck on the right but Will Muir won't be far behind.
Fullback
Freddie Steward - Joe Carpenter
Steward is, on paper, the clear starter but Carpenter showed that he is good enough to play at this level against France XV and might be a better fit for what Borthwick wants. This battle is perhaps the most interesting one this summer.
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