England lock Ben Kay believes Argentina have the "special Juan" playing for them - and his surname isn't Hernandez.
Kay sings the praises of Pumas skipper
England lock Ben Kay believes Argentina have the "special Juan" playing for them - and his surname isn't Hernandez.
While Stade Francais playmaker Juan Martin Hernandez grabs all the headlines for the Pumas, Kay insists that skipper Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe is the man who makes Argentina tick.
Lobbe, who left Sale at the end of the season, will lead Argentina out for the second Test in Salta on Saturday determined to level the series after England's 37-15 victory at Old Trafford.
And Kay rates the 27-year-old as one of the best players to play in the Premiership in recent years.
"Argentina have some great players who are based in England and Lobbe is one of the ones who has really impressed me," he said.
"Lobbe has had some recognition but I think he's been not only one of the players of this season, but of the last few seasons.
"Argentina have good talent across the board. We have a strong Argentinean contingent at Leicester and we know how passionate they are about their rugby.
"They're skilful yet confrontational as well and that can be a dangerous mix."
Proud
Kay is one of three members of the current England squad that beat Argentina 26-18 in Buenos Aires in 2002 - with Steve Thompson and Lewis Moody having also been on the trip seven years ago.
"We went down there with a weakened side. A lot of the senior guys took the opportunity to have a rest that summer," said Kay.
"Of the regular starters only myself and Phil Vickery went.
"Steve Thompson played in that game but he was just breaking into the squad, while Lewis Moody was also there.
"We turned them over with them having beaten a very strong France side, who were Six Nations champions at the time, the week before - which we went to watch.
"It was a moment I was very proud of - plus I scored a try, which I don't do very often for England.
"Argentina is one of my favourite places to go and I'm looking forward to reliving that experience."
