Trio handed chance for England in Pumas clash
ENGLAND manager Martin Johnson has named three debutants in his team to take on Argentina in the first Test at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Bath winger Matt Banahan and Newcastle prop David Wilson are rewarded for their impressive performances as replacements in the 33-26 defeat to the Barbarians last Saturday, while Toulon-bound back Tim May gets a start at inside centre.
Johnson has made five changes from the side that went down to the Baa Baas at Twickenham. Mark Cueto replaces Ben Foden at right wing, while openside Steffon Armitage comes into the side to join brother Delon for only the second time.
Leicester’s Dan Hipkiss is the replacement for Jamie Noon, who is ruled out with a calf injury, while Wasps back row James Haskell gets his chance to impress against the Pumas.
Flankers Chris Robshaw and Lewis Moody, as well as inside centre Jordan Turner-Hall, drop out of the squad completely.
Veteran Brive hooker Steve Thompson starts on the bench as he goes in search of a first international cap for three years.
The Old Trafford encounter is England’s first in Manchester since 1997. The second and final Test takes place in Salta next Saturday.
ENGLAND XV TO PLAY ARGENTINA
Delon Armitage, Mark Cueto, Dan Hipkiss, Tim May, Matt Banahan, Andy Goode, Danny Care; Tim Payne, Dylan Hartley, David Wilson, Steve Borthwick (capt), Louis Deacon, James Haskell, Steffon Armitage, Nick Easter
Replacements: Steve Thompson, Julian White, Ben Kay, Jordan Crane, Paul Hodgson, Sam Vesty, Mathew Tait