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England vs Argentina team news: Nicolas Sanchez dropped with Agustin Creevy left on bench for Pumas

Fly-half is left out of the squad for the first time since 2016 as head coach Mario Ledesma springs a surprise with his team for their must-win clash against England

Jack de Menezes

Tokyo

Thursday 03 October 2019 04:17 BST

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Rugby World Cup 2019 in numbers

Nicolas Sanchez has been left out of the Argentina side to face England this Saturday, the first time that the Pumas have been without the fly-half for a meaningful game since 2016.

Benjamin Urdapilleta will start at No 10, with the former Harlequins out-half now of Castres selected in favour of Sanchez, who has not missed a Rugby Championship or Rugby World Cup match for the last three years.

With Sanchez absent, natural centre Lucas Mensa will provide cover for Urdapilleta, despite winning just one previous cap for Argentina.

Head coach Mario Ledesma has also chosen to leave former captain Agustin Creevy among the replacements, with hooker Julian Montoya rewarded for his 26-minute hat-trick in last week’s victory over Tonga by retaining the No 2 shirt.

Creevy is set to become the most-capped player in Argentinian history if he comes off the bench on Saturday, with the Jaguares forward poised for his 88th appearance to overtake the previous record held by former fly-half Felipe Contepomi.

Rugby World Cup team of round two

Show all 15

1/15Rugby World Cup team of round two

Rugby World Cup team of round two

1, Ellis Genge (England)

The loosehead prop may have only come on for England at half-time, but there had not been a run at the World Cup from a prop quite like what Genge produced against the USA. A barn-storming run saw him outpace one defender and trample over another, breaking the best part of 50 metres before it took two men to stop him. He was also excellent in the scrum to win countless penalties as the USA wilted.

AP

Rugby World Cup team of round two

2. Julian Montoya (Argentina)

It takes something special to shine in Agustin Creevy’s absence, but Montoya delivered with an excellent hat-trick to help lead Argentina to victory over Tonga. Montoya was smart to stay wide following a lineout for his first try, was the beneficiary of the rolling maul for the second and powered his way over from close range for a classy 26-minute hat-trick.

AP

Rugby World Cup team of round two

3. Levan Chilachava (Georgia)

It’s not often a Georgian makes the team of the round, but Chilachava lead an inspired Georgian pack to dominate Uruguay in their Sunday clash, scoring a try in the bonus-point victory and monstering the opposition front row in the scrum.

REUTERS

Rugby World Cup team of round two

4. Luke Thomspon (Japan)

A herculean effort from the lock as Japan upset the odds to beat Ireland. Thompson did not miss a single tackle in a standout display with fellow lock James Moore.

Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

5. Lood de Jager (South Africa)

The Springbok needed a big performance to strengthen his case for selection in what is a very competitive area for South Africa, and the giant second row delivered emphatically with a man-of-the-match performance. He may not have got on the scoresheet, but his impact in destroying Namibia’s gameplan was standout nonetheless.

AP

Rugby World Cup team of round two

6. Aaron Wainwright (Wales)

A young player whose development at the World Cup is really turning heads. Wainwright did not look out of place up against one of the greats of the game against David Pocock, and it was his ball-carrying ability that really stood out in an eye-catching performance.

Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

7. Lewis Ludlam (England)

A remarkable rise to prominence saw Ludlam score his first World Cup try for England in the demolition of the USA, but it was his all-round performance last week that earns him his place in the side. From nowhere, Ludlam is emerging as a very important member of the England team.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

8. Michael Leitch (Japan)

Another substitute who made such a strong contribution to a winning cause. Leitch came on after the half-hour mark to replace Amanaki Mafi and lead by example, setting the tone for Japan’s latest great upset.

EPA

Rugby World Cup team of round two

9. Gareth Davies (Wales)

Australia could not keep Davies out of the game in Tokyo, with the scrum-half twice intercepting Will Genia and Bernard Foley and nearly bagging himself a third in the second half. He was also excellent at injecting pace into the game and tried to catch the defence napping throughout.

Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

10. Felipe Berchesi (Uruguay)

The Uruguayan was excellent in Uruguay’s victory over Fiji, with the South American’s forced to double-up across the round by playing Georgia a handful of days later. Berchesi had to make do with a team on the back foot more often than not, yet managed to release his outside backs to run Fiji ragged.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

11. Makazole Mapimpi (South Africa)

Mapimpi emerged from the shadow of Cheslin Kolbe to star in South Africa’s rout of Namibia, scoring two tries to trigger the landslide victory. Mapimpi may not get the shower of praise that his elusive teammate receives, but he showed how dangerous he can be with the ball in hand, showing a devastating turn of pace backed up by some serious power.

REUTERS

Rugby World Cup team of round two

12. Ryoto Nakamura (Japan)

Going up against the talented duo of Chris Farrell and Garry Ringrose, Nakamura did himself proud with a number of eye-catching tackles and defensive work that any centre would be proud of. He also proved the glue between fly-half Yu Tamura and the dangerous wings outside him.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

13. Lukhanyo Am (South Africa)

The third Springbok to feature in the side, Am enjoyed possible his best outing at international level, bagging a try himself on the 57-3 victory immediately after half-time as they picked up where they left off.

AP

Rugby World Cup team of round two

14. Kotaro Matsushima (Japan)

The only man to retain his spot in the side after yet another strong showing in Shizuoka, Matsushima is establishing himself as one of the must-watch players at the World Cup. One brilliant mazy run in the second half stood out among a lengthy highlight reel.

AFP/Getty Images

Rugby World Cup team of round two

15. Telusa Veainu (Tonga)

The full-back returned to the Tonga side for the first time in two years and marked his comeback with a brilliant showing, scoring twice in their losing effort against Argentina and producing a sublime finish for his second try after combining with Cooper Vuna.

AP

Ledesma only makes one change to the side that defeated the Pacific Islanders 28-12, with Javier Ortega Desio returning at No 8 in favour of Tomas Lezana, who drops to the bench.

Saracens prop Juan Figallo will start against England, as will new Leicester Tigers signing Guido Petti in the second row.

The Pumas know that defeat against England will all but seal their World Cup exit at the pool stage – something they have not experienced since 2003 – should France beat Tonga on Sunday.

Agentina team to face England

Emiliano Boffelli; Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Santigo Carreras; Benjamin Urdapilleta, Tomas Cubelli; Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Julian Montoya, Juan Figallo; Guido Petti, Tomas Lavanini; Pablo Matera, Marcos Kremer, Javier Ortega Desio.

Replacements: Agustin Creevy, Mayco Vivas, Santiago Medrano, Matias Alemanno, Tomas Lezana, Felipe Ezcurra, Lucas Mensa, Bautista Delguy.

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