England try out all their talent

ENGLAND HAVE kept their promise of utilising all the talent available to them before Saturday's first Test by giving three players their first outing of the tour against Argentina A today.

Matt Allen of Northampton, Harlequins wing Daren O'Leary and Coventry lock Danny Grewcock are the new men, while three more - Gloucester's Mark Mapletoft, the Bristol flanker Martin Corry and Sale centre Jos Baxendell make their first starts after coming on as replacements in last Saturday's defeat by Buenos Aries.

Allen has been knocking loudly on the door for some time, but his wait for recognition is testament to the strength and depth England have at centre.

Captain Phil de Glanville and Nick Greenstock of Wasps will be the centre pairing for the Test match and, of course, Jeremy Guscott and Will Greenwood are among the 18 Englishmen away with the Lions.

De Glanville, Guscott's team mate at Bath, praised the level of England's resources, saying: "The depth of talent is so much greater now. Everyone responds to people putting pressure on for places. It is part of life for me at club level and with England.

"There is even more pressure at scrumhalf. Austin Healey and Matt Dawson are with the Lions and we have Kyran Bracken and Andy Gomarsall battling for a spot here. If this team played the Lions 18, it would be very close."

England appear to have settled on their back division to take on the Pumas at the Ferro Carril Oeste Stadium on Saturday.

Yet although their assistant coach Mike Slemen had previously suggested that none of the Test side would see action in today's match, there must be one or two of the forwards who still fancy their chances.

The Harlequins flanker Rory Jenkins and Leicester prop Darren Gorforth will be the ones most eager to press their claims. Saracens number eight Tony Deprose was relieved of the captaincy of England A last season to allow him to concentrate more on his own play. He will, however, skipper this side and will not have to warn his troops of the threat of the outhalf Jose Cilley, who was so impressive for Buenos Aries on the same Cricket and Rugby Club ground.