Argentina v England

Saturday 6th June 2009

at the 

Theatre of Dreams

England take on Argentina at Old Trafford on Saturday, rain is forecast but I am sure this will not dampen the players or the fans spirits.  To play at such stadium as Old Trafford for any player football or rugby must indeed be a dream.

England however, need to shake off any day dreams and put in a uplifting performance to settle both the fans and the England Team Manger.  Johnson this week said England must raise their game and  expects the tackle area to be the key to winning the contest, telling today's RFU podcast, 

"If we don't contest the ball at the tackle area then we'll come second.  "Set piece is set piece but there are more tackles than anything in the game. Whoever wins that area will probably come out on top."   "We can't have the lack of awareness and make the errors we made then - it really hurt us.

"Argentina are a different challenge. They know how to win Test matches now and they do that very well. They'll test us all over the field and put us under pressure. We expect them to take their opportunities, run strongly and defend well."

Englands Delon Armitage with uncapped Tom May (right) enjoy a lighter moment during the training session at Twickenham Stadium.  All pictures by Empics

England have three new caps Newcastle's David Wilson, Bath wing Matt Banahan and Toulon's new signing Tom May will all win their first caps.   Special good wishes to  Tom May gaining his first cap after 10years of trying, we wish him the very best of luck.  And Julian White will get his 50th Cap for England if he comes off the bench on Saturday.

Englands Matt Banahan celebrates his try against the Barbarians with Tom May.

To listen to David Wilson talk about his childhood ambition when he makes his Test debut for England.   Debutant centre Tom May talking about the  midfield working hard to ensure they are on same wavelength come game time.   Matt Banahan revealing how he hopes to commemorate his first Test appearance with a try against the Pumas and  Mark Cueto who is a lifelong Manchester United fan reveals he can't wait to step on the turf, warning his team mates 'they'll have to drag me off after the team run!' 

All these interviews are available on this week's rfu.com podcast:

Tickets for the Argentina v England Test match - The Standard Bank Cup - are available now by calling 0161 868 8000 (option 9) or contacting www.manutd.com. Tickets are priced from £10 for adults and £1 for U16s. Tickets will also be available from Old Trafford on the day of the game.

England: Delon Armitage (London Irish), Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers), Tom May (Newcastle Falcons), Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby), Andy Goode (CA Brive), Danny Care (Harlequins), Tim Payne (London Wasps), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), David Wilson (Newcastle Falcons), Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain), Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers), James Haskell (London Wasps), Steffon Armitage (London Irish), Nick Easter (Harlequins)

Replacements: Steve Thompson (CA Brive), Julian White (Leicester Tigers), Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers), Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers), Paul Hodgson (London Irish), Sam Vesty (Leicester Tigers), Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks)

Argentina: Agulla (Brive), Aramburu (Dax), Tiesi (Harlequins), Avramovic (Montauban), Camacho (Harlequins), Hernández (Stade Francais), Vergallo (Dax), Lobbe (Toulon, captain), Leguizamon (Stade Francais), Galindo (Racing Metro), Albacete (Toulouse), Carizza (Biarritz), Orlandi (Rovigo), Basualdo (Toulouse), Roncero (Stade Francais).

Replacements: Guiñazu (Agen), Ayerza (Leicester), Lozada (Toulon), Abadie (Capitolina), Lalanne (London Irish), Fernández (Hindu), Amorosino (Pucara)

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