The Rugby World Cup is set for a dramatic conclusion this Sunday, but England's players are already looking ahead to their departure from Argentina – albeit in a more strategic sense. In a bid to avoid the potentially chaotic scenes that might erupt if Lionel Messi and Co lift the trophy, Steve Borthwick's squad has made the shrewd decision to shift their Buenos Aires base to a hotel closer to the airport. It's a clever move that will hopefully prevent their return journey from being disrupted by the estimated five million-strong throngs of Argentinian fans who took to the streets four years ago.
Saturday's showdown with Argentina in Santiago del Estero may still be the main event, but England will need to navigate those same unpredictable streets on Sunday before boarding a flight back to London. With their previous digs situated near the Plaza de la Republica – and its iconic Obelisk monument – it was only a matter of time before the noise became too much to bear. Even with earplugs at the ready, England's players will be relieved to be relocating to their new base, which promises a quieter night in.
But it's not just the celebrations that will be music to the team's ears – it's also the chance to bounce back from Wednesday's semi-final heartbreak. Steve Borthwick has already spoken about the impact of those late-night fireworks on his squad, with Henry Pollock among those who found themselves caught up in the moment. While some might see it as a misstep, Borthwick sees it as a sign of character – and he'll be hoping that same spirit translates onto the pitch this Saturday.
England will head into the match on the back of nine wins from their last ten encounters with Argentina, including a 27-23 victory at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium just last season. With an unchanged starting XV from that win over Fiji last weekend, they'll be looking to wrap up their summer tour with a flourish – and one final blow to the Pumas before heading home.