The madness of Buenos Aires has got the better of England's rugby team once again! In a move that's more tactical retreat than strategic shift, the Red Rose have abandoned ship on their original hotel, swapping it for a quieter perch closer to the airport in an effort to avoid the potential bedlam that could erupt if Argentina lift the World Cup trophy. And what a scene they've left behind – hundreds of thousands of fans went wild after Wednesday's semi-final win over Spain, with fireworks lighting up the sky and earplugs being handed out to England's players like party hats.
But the team will have to put the previous night's carnival atmosphere on hold for now as they prepare to take on the Pumas in Santiago del Estero this Saturday. And then it's back to Buenos Aires just 24 hours later, when the World Cup final is set to be decided and the city is likely to erupt all over again – a repeat of the scenes that greeted Argentina's previous triumph in 2022. To mitigate any logistical mayhem that might ensue if La Albiceleste take the title, England has opted for a new hotel, one that's tucked away from the madding crowd and ready for their departure on Monday.
Head Coach Steve Borthwick is in no doubt about the challenge his team faced: “I wouldn’t suggest that everybody got a great night’s sleep last night – there were still fireworks going off at 4am this morning,” he said, diplomatically downplaying the disruption. But despite the noise and commotion, many England players took to the hotel balcony to soak up the atmosphere – a once-in-a-lifetime experience, no doubt.
And it's not just the fans who are getting attention – 21-year-old Henry Pollock is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after taunting a crowd of locals from the team bus on Wednesday. But Borthwick is sticking up for his star player: “Henry’s full of character… I think it was done in good nature and it came from a very good place.” A nod to Pollock's cheeky streak, perhaps – but one that may not win him many friends among the Argentine faithful.
As England focuses on their performance against the Pumas this weekend, they'll be acutely aware of the incredible atmosphere surrounding the World Cup final. And with this match being a crucial part of their July tour, they'll need to rise above the bedlam and put in a showing that will make their fans back home proud.