England vs Argentina: Eddie Jones makes four changes and aims early dig at Australia

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Chris Jones24 November 2016

Eddie Jones today made four changes to the England team to face Argentina and then launched his wind-up campaign ahead of next week’s clash with Australia.

If England win their final two matches of the autumn they will be the only major nation undefeated in 2016 while the Wallabies will be attempting a European Grand Slam next weekend if they knock over Ireland on Saturday.

Australian-born Jones embarrassed his countrymen by leading England to a 3-0 whitewash over the Wallabies in their own back yard in the summer and today fired off this opening salvo stating: “This game against Argentina is a big step up for us as they were probably the second best team in the Rugby Championship and played some exceptional rugby.”

That puts the Pumas ahead of Australia and South Africa in Jones’s view and will be immediately picked up by the Wallabies and their media.

Jones is worried about the power Argentina will bring to Twickenham and that has, along with Joe Launchbury’s two-game ban, shaped his selection.

The changes are Mike Brown replacing Alex Goode at full-back, Jonny May coming in for Semesa Rokoduguni on the wing, George Kruis taking over from Launchbury at lock and Tom Wood replacing Northampton club-mate Teimana Harrison at flanker. Harrison drops to the replacements and Nathan Hughes moves out of the match 23. England beat Fiji 58-15 last week but Jones was concerned his team conceded three tries and is demanding a stronger all-round performance, particularly in defence.

England team to face Argentina

Mike Brown

Jonny May

Jonathan Joseph

Owen Farrell

Elliot Daly

George Ford

Ben Youngs

Mako Vunipola

Dylan Hartley (c)

Dan Cole

Courtney Lawes

George Kruis

Chris Robshaw

Tom Wood

Billy Vunipola

The England head coach, who has guided his men to 11 wins in a row this year, said:“Selection was interesting this week but it shows how competitive and how much depth we are developing.

“We have had a strong week’s preparation and I have been really impressed by the players’ desire to get better. It is a strong and relentless team. All the credit for what the team have done this autumn deserves to go to the players who have been absolutely exceptional.

“Dylan Hartley has led from the front as have Owen Farrell, George Ford and Billy Vunipola. There are a number of other players that have been in leadership roles helping to develop the team.

“They are a quality team, have power in the forwards, speed and guile in the backs as well as great experience. We appreciate they have threats across the field and they have always been a physical, tough side. They still have their set‑piece armoury in the scrum and line‑outs so we’re looking forward to a great game of rugby against them.

“The set-piece is going to be important. We have worked hard on our scrum and maul this week.”

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