England’s Pepper eager to silence Pumas as World Cup semi-final raises the volume

For better or worse England have chosen an interesting week to be in Argentina. Before the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta there is widespread optimism that fútbol is coming home and Steve Borthwick’s players are located right in the mixer in downtown Buenos Aires.

There is certainly a great deal more public anticipation in the air than there is for the rugby Test in Santiago del Estero on Saturday. The competitive rivalry between the two countries, however, burns brightly regardless of the shape of the ball, and English players unfamiliar with fervent Argentinian crowds are being advised to brace themselves for what is coming.

Guy Pepper was selected for his Test debut on the two-Test trip to Argentina last year and the “different” experience the Bath flanker encountered has left a lasting impression. “It was very much a football-crowd type of mentality, which I guess is quite cool to experience.

“It is noisier but also [it’s about] being able to shut them up in terms of outscoring them. It was a real rollercoaster of emotion. Being on the bench for the two games, you could take in the fact that they’re all chanting and jumping around one minute and then you can hear a pin drop the next.”

The fast-maturing Pepper, who has since played his way into England’s starting back-row equation, also says the squad are “very aware” of how lively the atmosphere could be on the streets of Argentina’s capital before and after the semi-final in Atlanta.

“It is quite funny because I believe the hotel we are in Buenos Aires is [the same place] where when they last won it in 2022 there are videos of the whole street being absolutely rammed. Our hotel is right in the middle of that.”

Argentina’s players sing their national anthem before facing Wales in San Juan, Argentina. Photograph: Gustavo Garello/AP

How positively the locals will react to the sight of English tracksuits in their midst in the event of Argentina losing in Atlanta remains to be seen but, either way, Borthwick’s squad have not flown 7,000 miles merely to sit and watch a game of football on a big screen. They are committed to finishing their season in upbeat fashion and are hoping to show that the 2-0 series win against the Pumas last year was not remotely a fluke.

“We’re building for a World Cup in a year’s time and we’re taking what we can from each game,” said Pepper, who scored his first Test try in England’s 73-8 demolition of Fiji in Liverpool on Saturday. The 23‑year‑old now has 14 caps for his country and believes the opportunities given to younger squad members in the absence of several senior players on the British & Irish Lions’ tour of Australia last summer is paying dividends.

“On reflection that Argentina tour was quite significant for this group. It is important to breed new young players who [can] make a name for themselves and keep the jersey. Since that tour we have really tried to step up the way we want to attack games. We want to be able to play through teams but also play around teams. I think that’s exciting.”