England v Argentina: Lancaster hands Bath’s Wilson rare start
England v Argentina: Stuart Lancaster hands Bath prop David Wilson a rare start against the Pumas at Twickenham on Saturday
Stuart Lancaster has overhauled his front row for the visit of Argentina to Twickenham this weekend and has handed Bath prop David Wilson a rare start.
British Lion Dan Cole – a mainstay of England’s front row in 40 of the last 41 Tests ahead of this summer’s tour of Argentina – makes way for the in-form Wilson.
Lancaster has made four changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s Test against Argentina at Twickenham, including changes to all front row positions.
Dylan Hartley replaces Tom Youngs at hooker and loose-head Joe Marler replaces the injured Mako Vunipola.
Northampton full-back Ben Foden comes in for the injured Marland Yarde on the wing but Christian Wade is out with a hamstring strain – the London Wasps flyer was expected to make his Twickenham bow this weekend.
Cole and Youngs are included on the replacements’ bench, which also sees the return from injury and concussion of fellow Lions Alex Corbisiero and Geoff Parling.
Northampton’s Corbisiero returns to the squad after overcoming a knee problem, although he had been expected to start the second match of England’s autumn series instead of Harlequins’ Marler.
“Christian Wade was in contention for a start but his hamstring tightened up in training and unfortunately he hasn’t recovered sufficiently in time to be considered,” said England head coach Stuart Lancaster.
“Ben has had a full week’s training on the wing, he is a great finisher and in form so it’s a great option for us.”
England: M Brown (Harlequins); C Ashton (Saracens), J Tomkins (Saracens), B Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby), B Foden (Northampton); O Farrell (Saracens), L Dickson (Northampton Saints); J Marler (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton Saints), D Wilson (Bath Rugby), J Launchbury (London Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), T Wood (Northampton Saints), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), B Vunipola (Saracens).
Replacements: T Youngs (Leicester Tigers), A Corbisiero (Northampton Saints), D Cole (Leicester Tigers), G Parling (Leicester Tigers), B Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers), T Flood (Leicester Tigers), A Goode (Saracens).
