Tom Curry is set to start England’s third-place play-off with Argentina – despite ongoing investigation over alleged ‘white ****’ slur made by South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi in semi-final defeat

• England’s Tom Curry alleged Mbonambi called him a ‘white c***’ in exchange 
• The flanker will still start England’s third-place play-off match with Argentina 
• World Rugby’s investigation into the allegations remains ongoing 

Tom Curry will put aside the storm which has engulfed him this week to start the World Cup bronze final against Argentina on Friday night – winning his 50th cap for England.

The Sale flanker has endured an ordeal since complaining that he had been called a ‘white c**t’ by Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi during the national team’s agonising 16-15 semi-final defeat at the Stade de France last Saturday. 

Shortly after his club released a statement condemning the ‘disgusting abuse aimed at Tom Curry and his family’, as World Rugby’s investigation into the allegations he made drags on, the 25-year-old was named at blindside by Steve Borthwick.

Curry will reunite with his fellow ‘Kamikaze Kid’ from the 2019 World Cup, as Sam Underhill will return to the England XV at openside. 

In all, head coach Borthwick has made eight starting changes, with Marcus Smith restored at full-back after overcoming concussion, with Freddie Steward switching to the right wing and Henry Arundell lining up on the opposite flank.

England flanker Tom Curry is set to start his side’s bronze final against Argentina on Friday

The news comes shortly after Curry (R) accused South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi (L) of calling him a ‘white c***’ during the Rugby World Cup semi-final 

If their presence will provide a glimpse of England’s future, there will also be a poignant farewell for Ben Youngs, the country’s most-capped male player. The Leicester scrum-half will make his 127th Test appearance in what is expected to be his swansong at international level.

In the front row, rookie hooker Theo Dan has been chosen to start, with his fellow Saracen and mentor Jamie George acting as an under-study on the bench against the Pumas.

Borthwick said: ‘After the disappointment of last weekend’s game against South Africa, it is important that this Friday we once again play with the determination and dedication that so nearly earned the team the result we wanted. 

‘The bronze final gives us a great opportunity to finish the tournament on a positive note, continue to build for the future, and to give our supporters one last chance to get behind the squad out here in Paris.’

Curry will wear the No 6 shirt as Courtney Lawes is not included in the match-day 23, meaning the Northampton forward has made his last appearance for England, having confirmed that he will retire from international rugby after this tournament.

The absence of Jonny May means that the Gloucester wing is another who has surely represented his country for the last time.

Curry voiced his concerns over Mbonambi’s alleged comments to the referee during the game

ENGLAND team to play Argentina in the World Cup on Friday 

M Smith (Harlequins); F Steward (Leicester), J Marchant (Stade Francais), M Tuilagi (Sale), H Arundell (Racing 92); O Farrell (Saracens. capt), B Youngs (Leicester); E Genge (Bristol), T Dan (Saracens), W Stuart (Bath); M Itoje (Saracens), O Chessum (Leicester); T Curry (Sale), B Earl (Saracens), S Underhill (Bath). Replacements: J George (Saracens), B Rodd (Sale), D Cole (Leicester), D Ribbans (Toulon), L Ludlam (Northampton), D Care (Harlequins), G Ford (Sale), O Lawrence (Bath). 

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