Courtney Lawes and the suspended Owen Farrell take part in the England captain’s run as Steve Borthwick’s side begin final preparations ahead of their opening Rugby World Cup game against Argentina on Saturday

England began final preparations for the opening game of the Rugby World Cup, with stand-in captains Courtney Lawes and Owen Farrell both in attendance in Marseille.

England begin their campaign against Argentina on Saturday, with Lawes filling in for the suspended Farrell, whose red card ban was reinstated by World Rugby ahead of the competition.

In the captain’s run, the game captain leads the session and not head coach Steve Borthwick. The run takes place at a time decided by the team before the game, usually around an hour long.

England go into the competition with a desperate run of form that has put Borthwick under pressure – although the former Leicester Tigers coach insists he is paying no mind to the outside noise.

He named a surprise squad for the clash with the Pumas, handing starting XIs to both Jonny May and Alex Mitchell – neither of whom had been included in the original 33-man squad.

Steve Borthwick’s side start their Rugby World Cup on Saturday

Experienced striker Courtney Lawes will lead the team with Owen Farrell out through suspension

In the captain’s run, the captain of the team leads the training session and not the head coach

Pictures emerged from the training session showing the team giving it their all, with Farrell still in attendance despite being unable to take part in the crucial opening game.

But it was Lawes who will be calling the shots in Marseille and he was seen keeping a close eye on the proceedings alongside young fly-half Marcus Smith.

Despite the pressure of the upcoming opening match, the team were all smiles and clearly enjoying the occasion, with some of their ranks taking part in their first World Cup.

Even Farrell didn’t seem too worried about sitting out the duel. The strikers were spotted doing quick handrails and passing drills.

Manu Tuilagi, a 12-year-old starter, enjoyed taking part in the training session. He appeared to be practicing running towards the ball with pace, as England hope he can do by punching a hole in Argentina’s defensive line on Saturday.

Among the participants was Tom Curry, who returns straight back to the back row despite being injured for three months.

Although Borthwick did not preside over the meeting, he was still on hand to closely monitor his charges.

England’s encounter with Argentina is the first of four group stage games and takes place in Marseille at 8pm on Saturday, before meetings with Japan, Chile and Samoa next month.

Manu Tuilagi started in the center and was seen doing running exercises in Marseille

Farrell attended the meeting despite being unavailable for Saturday’s Argentina game

Borthwick was on hand to monitor proceedings as his side continues to remain in the spotlight

Tom Curry is set to return to action immediately after a three-month injury layoff

It’s a relatively experienced side that will take on the Pumas, with experienced veteran Dan Cole also coming into the game for a surprise start.

Cole will be playing in his fourth Rugby World Cup and starts the pack in the front row with vice-captain Ellis Genge either side of Jamie George, locks Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum and a back row with Lawes, Curry and Ben Earl.

May, Elliot Daly and Freddie Steward form the back three, Tuilagi will start at 13, Joe Marchant at 13, and Mitchell will be joined by George Ford as England’s centre-back pairing.

And Borthwick has plenty of experience as a substitute, including 282 caps, with Danny Care and Joe Marler both having played more than 80 times for their country

Marcus Smith (right) can provide cover at both full-back and full-back against Argentina

Joe Marler has plenty of experience as a substitute, having played 82 times for England