London: England team manager Martin Johnson has made four changes to his side for Saturday’s international against Argentina at Twickenham.
Injuries have hit Johnson’s forward options and veteran prop Duncan Bell will make his first start for England in a test since 2005, replacing David Wilson who suffered neck and shoulder injuries in last week’s defeat by Australia.
James Haskell is selected at number eight in place of the injured Jordan Crane, one of 10 players released back to their clubs this week, while Northampton’s Dylan Hartley replaces Steve Thompson at hooker.
Johnson, who is without a dozen leading players through injury including his first-choice front row, has made just one change in the backs with London Irish scrum half Paul Hodgson given his first start in place of Danny Care.
“With Paul and Danny there is an argument to who starts and who is on the bench,” Johnson told reporters on Wednesday. “I said to Danny he’s not dropped and he will have a chance to come off the bench but it’s an opportunity for Paul because he’s been a fantastic guy to have around for the past two weeks.”
Argentina, who beat England at Twickenham three years ago, have built their reputation on scrummaging and Johnson said his unfamiliar pack would have to rise to the challenge.
“We know all about Argentina, they enjoy scrummaging and they are very good at it, it’s a big part of their game,” he said. “We need to be up to that challenge, it’s as simple as that. That doesn’t change, whoever is playing.”
While the forward battles will be vital, Johnson needs more from a backline which again includes flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson and flanker Lewis Moody, both of whom impressed in their first appearances for England since the 2008 Six Nations last week.
Johnson is desperate for a win against the Pumas, with New Zealand to come the following week.
He began his tenure with thrashings from the three Tri-Nations sides and, despite some positive signs in the Six Nations, another three Twickenham defeats would leave him in dire straights.
“We need to get better as a whole team,” Johnson said. “This is a big game, we have to improve, we have to get better on Saturday but we are fully capable of that.”
England, without their Lions players, beat Argentina 37-15 at Old Trafford in June before losing 24-22 in Salta.
The Pumas’ win at Twickenham three years ago contributed to the sacking of England coach Andy Robinson but this week’s Argentina team is significantly weaker than the one which went on to finish third in the 2007 World Cup.
Juan Martin Hernandez, Felipe Contepomi and Juan Martin Leguizamon, all world class, are out of action with injuries and the Pumas have been forced to draft in eight amateur players to their squad for this tour, which also includes games against Wales and Scotland.
England team to play Argentina in a one-off international at Twickenham on Saturday (1430GMT): (15-1) Ugo Monye; Mark Cueto, Danny Hipkiss, Shane Geraghty, Matt Banahan; Jonny Wilkinson, Paul Hodgson; James Haskell, Lewis Moody, Tom Croft; Steve Borthwick (capt), Louis Deacon; Duncan Bell, Dylan Hartley, Tim Payne
Replacements: Steve Thompson, Paul Doran-Jones, Courtney Lawes, Joe Worsley, Danny Care, Andy Goode, Ayoola Erinle.
Argentina team: 15-Horacio Agulla, 14-Lucas Borges, 13-Gonzalo Tiesi, 12-Martin Rodriguez, 11-Mauro Comuzzi, 10-Santiago Fernandez, 9-Alfredo Lalanne; 8-Juan Fernandez Lobbe (captain), 7-Alfredo Abadie, 6-Tomas Leonardi, 5-Patricio Albacete, 4-Esteban Lozada, 3-Martin Scelzo, 2-Mario Ledesma, 1-Rodrigo Roncero.
Replacements: 16-Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17-Marcos Ayerza, 18-Manuel Carizza, 19-Alejandro Campos, 20-Agustin Figuerola, 21-Benjamin Urdapilleta, 22-Federico Martin Aramburu.- Reuters |
