Paul Gustard: England new-boy Sam Simmonds can shine

England new-boy Sam Simmonds has a 'brilliant' opportunity to impress during the Autumn internationals after replacing the injured Sam Curry, according to defensive coach Paul Gustard.

Eddie Jones has included Simmonds on his substitutes bench ahead of Saturday's game against Argentina, live on Sky Sports, following the news Curry would miss the remainder of the Autumn internationals with a dislocated wrist.

The Exeter Chiefs flanker would be making his international debut if he features this Saturday and Gustard has backed the 23-year-old to impress against Argentina.

Live International Rugby Union

"It's a brilliant opportunity for Sam, unfortunate for Tom [Curry] but brilliant for Sam," Gustard told Sky Sports News HQ.

"Obviously it's great news for him, he's got potential to win his first cap. He's a very exciting player, very quick, a different kind of player to Tom and we're looking forward to that, if he does get his first cap, that he will be able to bring those skills to the pitch."

Gustard also said that Simmonds offers the side something different and believes he has the versatility to play anywhere across England's back-row.

"I think the back row positions are so interchangeable nowadays, he is a ball carrier, he's got footwork, he's got a strong fend and he powers his way through contact.

"He's got something slightly different to some of the other players that we've got in our back row combination, but after that you're a number on the pitch - you need to tackle, you need to clear out, you need to carry and so on.

"No matter what number is on his back I think we'll see the best from Sam."