England v Argentina: Teams
Martin Johnson has rung the changes as he seeks to guide England back to winning ways against Argentina at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Last Updated: 13/06/09 11:53am
Martin Johnson has rung the changes as he seeks to guide England back to winning ways against Argentina at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The England boss has won just four matches since taking charge last summer and watched his team slip-up again in the 33-26 defeat to the Barbarians at Twickenham last week.
He has now made five changes for the Argentina Test, bringing in Mark Cueto, Tom May and Dan Hipkiss for Ben Foden, Jamie Noon and Jordan Turner-Hall in the backs while James Haskell and Steffon Armitage replace Chris Robshaw and Lewis Moody in the pack.
Twenty-three-year-old flanker Armitage is hoping to shine in the game after being dropped following a disappointing display against Italy in the Six Nations.
Armitage, whose brother Delon also starts at full-back, said: "That wasn't a great experience for me but I know what it is like at international level now and I'm hoping to show Argentina what I can do.
"I was nervous - there were a lot of penalties and errors and it was the sort of game I was not really used to. I want to prove people wrong and show them I can last 80 minutes every week."
But Johnson has warned Armitage and the rest of his side they face a stiff challenge against the Argentineans.
Decision
He said: "He played his first game against Italy but didn't make the 22 after. We have picked him for what he can do - we could have picked Lewis (Moody) but we have made a decision about what we want from the game.
"If we don't contest the ball we'll come second. Argentina know how to win Test matches and they do it very well. We can't have the lack of awareness we had (against the Barbarians) and the errors we made - it really hurt us."
Three players - May, David Wilson and Matt Banahan - will win their first caps in the Test, as will Sam Vesty if he comes off the bench.
Wilson has retained his place in the side following his first senior start for England against the Baa-Baas.
Like Armitage, the tight-head prop is relishing the opportunity, saying: "I am massively excited and looking forward to it.
"They are a big physical pack. You have seen a lot of their players in the Premiership. This is a massive chance.
"I like football but I prefer rugby and it has been a lifelong ambition to play for England so to be in this game and get a cap for it is fantastic."
Julian White will win his 50th cap if he comes off the bench for England.
Pumas news
Meanwhile, Pumas captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe has hailed the influence of Juan Martin Hernandez ahead of Saturday's clash.
The 26-year-old utility back showed his world class capabilities during Argentina's stunning 2007 World Cup campaign, when they topped their group and finished third overall.
He is available for international duty following the elimination of club side Stade Francais from the French Championship semi-finals and will start at fly-half at Old Trafford.
Lobbe said: "Juan is the chosen one and if he's not the best in the world then he's not far behind.
"He was born with all the skills you need in rugby but he will never win a game on his own.
"We need to make sure everything is set up for Juan to shine at Old Trafford."
The Pumas are aiming for a repeat of their memorable victory at Twickenham in November 2006, when they claimed a 25-18 success and condemned Andy Robinson's side to a seventh consecutive Test defeat.
Lobbe, 27, will line up against former Sale colleague Mark Cueto and new Toulon team-mate Tom May at Old Trafford.
He joked: "I told Cuets I'm going to chase him under the high ball and smash him with my elbow.
"I will smash Tom May as well and then be friends with him in two weeks when we start at Toulon!
"This weekend is particularly special because I enjoyed three very happy years at Sale and really enjoyed living in Manchester because it's a great city."
England: 15 Delon Armitage (London Irish), 14 Mark Cueto (Sale), 13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester), 12 Tom May (Newcastle), 11 Matt Banahan (Bath), 10 Andy Goode (Brive), 9 Danny Care (Harlequins), 8 Nick Easter (Harlequins), 7 Steffon Armitage (London Irish), 6 James Haskell (Wasps), 5 Louis Deacon (Leicester), 4 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, capt), 3 David Wilson (Newcastle), 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton), 1 Tim Payne (Wasps).
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson (Brive), 17 Julian White (Leicester), 18 Ben Kay (Leicester), 19 Jordan Crane (Leicester), 20 Paul Hodgson (London Irish), 21 Sam Vesty (Leicester), 22 Mathew Tait (Sale).
Argentina: 15 H Agulla, 14 G Camacho, 13 M Avramovic, 12 G Tiesi, 11 F Aramburu; 10 J M Hernandez, 9 N Vergallo, 8 J Lobbe (captain), 7 J Leguizamon, 6 A Galindo, 5 P Albacete, 4 M Carizza, 3 J Orlandi, 2 A Basualdo, 1 R Roncero.
Replacements: 16 E Guinazu, 17 M Ayerza, 18 E Lozada, 19 A Abadie, 20 A Lalanne, 21 S Fernandez, 22 L Amorosino.