Haskell and Hodgson in as England change four
James Haskell moves up from the bench to take Jordan Crane's place at number eight
Wednesday, 11, Nov 2009 12:06
By Alistair Potter.
Back-row forward James Haskell and scrum-half Paul Hodgson have been drafted into the England team as part of four changes ahead of this weekend's clash with Argentina.
Following last Saturday's 18-9 defeat to Australia at Twickenham, head coach Martin Johnson has also opted to bring in Bath prop Duncan Bell and Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley in the front row.
Hodgson will be making his first start for England against the Pumas, replacing Harlequins number nine Danny Care who endured a torrid time against Wallabies half-back and man of the match Will Genia.
The call-up for Hartley means World Cup-winning hooker Steve Thompson drops to the bench, while man-mountain Bell takes the place of injury victim David Wilson, who had to come off in the last match.
Stade Francais star Haskell replaces Leicester's Jordan Crane at the base of the scrum after he was returned to his club earlier this week.
Other than the introduction of Hodgson, the backs division is largely unchanged as Johnson persists with winger Ugo Monye at full-back and Mark Cueto and Matt Banahan on the flanks.
Dan Hipkiss and Shane Geraghty remain as the centres partnership with Jonny Wilkinson continuing at fly-half after a promising return to the England fold against the Australians.
Uncapped Gloucester prop Paul Doran-Jones is named among the replacements.
England team to face Argentina at Twickenham on November 14th:
15 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
14 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)
12 Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints)
11 Matt Banahan (Bath)
10 Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
9 Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
1 Tim Payne (London Wasps)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
3 Duncan Bell (Bath Rugby)
4 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)
5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain)
6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers)
8 James Haskell (Stade Francais)
Replacements
16 Steve Thompson (CA Brive)
17 Paul Doran-Jones (Gloucester)
18 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
19 Joe Worsley (London Wasps)
20 Danny Care (Harlequins)
21 Andy Goode (CA Brive)
22 Ayoola Erinle (Biarritz Olympique)