Wing Jonny May, a surprise inclusion in Wednesday’s squad, does not share Cowan-Dickie’s luck; the dislocated elbow he suffered in the Gloucester service a fortnight ago rules him out.
Freddie Steward starts at full-back, while Ben Youngs has held off club mate Jack van Poortvliet’s challenge to start at scrum-half.
Anticipating a fierce contest against a fiery Pumas pack, Jones has opted for a six-two split on the bench where another Northampton Saint, lock David Ribbans, could make his debut.
Alongside Ribbans, Jack Singleton, Mako Vunipola, Joe Heyes, Sam Simmonds and Jack Willis make up the rest of the forward replacements, while Henry Slade provides cover at the back along with Van Poortvliet.
Jones said: “It’s been a really good week of preparation and I’m really pleased with the attitude of the squad. “They’ve shown a real work ethic and a determination to improve and our leaders Owen, Ellis and Jack really they have raised the team.
“We are expecting a great game of rugby at a packed Twickenham stadium against a very good Argentina team. It has been a difficult time for rugby recently and we hope that these autumn games will show what a special game it is.”
“I have never met a player with a more competitive spirit”
By Ben Coles
Eddie Jones has hailed Owen Farrell’s “incredible desire to win” after the Saracens back was named England captain.
“Having coached for a while at the highest level, I don’t think I’ve ever met a player with a more competitive spirit than him,” Jones said of Farrell. “There have been a few good ones and he would definitely be in the top three. He has an incredible desire to win, leads from the front and carries people with him. [George] Gregan and John Smit weren’t bad either.
“Owen has come through the protocols very well. He’s close to 100 caps, he’s the third highest points scorer in Test rugby and an important player for us. He’s back in the squad, supported by Ellis and Jack They have done a great job in his absence shaping the team, and Owen will certainly bring a lot of competitive spirit to Sunday’s game.
“The team has been exceptionally led by Ellis and Jack in the first week, and now Owen is back and taking over the captaincy with these two boys as his very strong lieutenants. We believe that the leadership team of the last few weeks It’s been really advanced.”
Marcus Smith, Farrell and Manu Tuilagi combine in midfield for the first time, although when the three last played together against Australia last autumn, Tuilagi was effectively a center despite wearing No.14.
“It’s been nice to have those three together, I’m not sure when they last played together, I know Marcus and Owen have only played four games and Manu certainly wasn’t involved in Australia so to have him back brings a lot. of power and pace and experience mate. He’s a very experienced Test player. And to have Sladey [Henry Slade] on the bench finishing the game gives us great versatility,” explained Jones.
“[Smith, Farrell and Tuilagi] They’ve only had three practices, but each time they get a little sharper, a little more cohesive. We’re looking forward to them playing, but to do that we need to get quality ball up front. You can’t play if you don’t.”