England may be without several players through injury for Saturday's international against Argentina at Twickenham but the South Americans too are missing key men.

And for England star Jonny Wilkinson, the only thing more dangerous than a bunch of wounded lions is a group of wounded Pumas.

Wilkinson's return to Test duty, along with that of fellow 2003 World Cup winner Lewis Moody, was one of the few Red Rose highlights during last week's 18-9 loss to Australia at Twickenham - a match where the five-eighth kicked all of the hosts' points.

This weekend's clash is being billed as a referendum of sorts on the performance of England manager Martin Johnson, who has overseen just five wins from his 12 Tests in charge, and that of his backroom staff - most of whom were in post before the World Cup-winning captain replaced Brian Ashton last year.

Argentina, who from 2012 will compete in an expanded Four Nations with New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, boast one of the most powerful packs in world rugby but will be without injured playmakers Juan Martin Hernandez and Felipe Contepomi behind the scrum.

However, so "turgid" - the word used by England forwards coach John Wells to describe the team's display against the Wallabies - few would bank on England's backs outshining their Argentina counterparts this weekend.

And if Wilkinson is required to perform another marathon shift in defence, as he did when making 20 tackles against Australia, then the Pumas will be on course for only a second win at Twickenham to set alongside their 25-18 success of three years ago.

That 2006 result effectively marked the end of Andy Robinson's time as England coach and while the consequences of a loss on Saturday are unlikely to be as grave for Johnson, his No.10 said the worst thing the side could do was rejoice in the absence of Hernandez and Contepomi.

"Hernandez and Contepomi are world-class players but you just don't do that with Argentina," said Wilkinson.

"Too many people have learned that lesson.

"England probably underestimated them at Twickenham in 2006. They were underestimated at the 2007 World Cup (when they beat hosts France twice before finishing third) and they were underestimated in the 2005 Lions tour opener.

"You know the team they put out will be damn good."

Johnson has made four changes, only one of them injury-induced, in a bid to give England some badly needed dynamism.

Halfback Paul Hodgson, No.8 James Haskell and hooker Dylan Hartley, who all impressed off the bench against Australia, start as does Duncan Bell after David Wilson became the latest England prop to succumb to injury.

"We want to score tries," said Wilkinson. "I think they will come. It is always exciting to have Haskell around and on the field. He is energetic and an impact player."

Argentina centre Gonzalo Tiesi, who plays in the Premiership for Harlequins, expects England to come out all guns blazing.

"England were beaten in the contact area (against the Wallabies) and in the physicality and they will touch their pride a little bit," said Tiesi.

"It was defence that won Australia the game. If we can put them under pressure and keep Jonny Wilkinson controlled it will be a different game."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP