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England Move Training Base to Escape Possible World Cup Party in Buenos Aires

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England's rugby team have changed hotels in Buenos Aires to avoid potential disruption from celebrations if Argentina defeat Spain in Sunday's FIFA World Cup final.

Steve Borthwick's side face Argentina in the final match of their summer tour on Saturday in Santiago del Estero, around 600 miles (965km) north-west of the capital. The squad will return to Buenos Aires on Sunday before flying back to London on Monday.

The team had been staying at a hotel near Plaza de la República, home to the city's iconic Obelisk and the traditional gathering point for fans celebrating Argentina's football successes.

The square has already hosted thousands of jubilant supporters following Argentina's 2-1 World Cup semi-final victory over England on Wednesday. Four years ago, an estimated five million people flooded the streets of Buenos Aires after Argentina lifted the World Cup in Qatar.

To avoid possible transport disruptions and overnight celebrations, England will now spend Sunday night at a hotel close to Buenos Aires' international airport on the city's southern outskirts.

Borthwick admitted the celebrations following the semi-final affected the team's rest.

"I wouldn't suggest that everybody got a great night's sleep last night – there were still fireworks going off at 4am," he said.

"Most of us were on the other side of the hotel and earplugs were issued to everybody, so we were prepared.

"I went up to the hotel terrace overlooking the street fairly late and there were still a lot of players just watching it and taking it all in. People were jumping up and down for hours, with fireworks constantly going off. It was quite a spectacle.

"We'd obviously all wanted England to win, but one of the experiences of touring is witnessing something like that in a different part of the world."

Meanwhile, England flanker Henry Pollock attracted attention before Wednesday's semi-final after footage emerged of the 21-year-old appearing to taunt Argentine football fans gathered in Plaza de la República.

The incident occurred as England's rugby squad returned from training by team bus. Videos circulating on social media showed Pollock giving fans a thumbs down, sticking out his tongue, waving, and making a shushing gesture from an upper window of the bus.

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