Jones boys can strike early world cup blow

ENGLAND have the chance to land a big psychological blow on Argentina tomorrow, 10 months out from the World Cup.

Like next week’s opponents Japan, the Pumas are in England’s group at the tournament and if Eddie Jones’ side can dispatch them at Twickenham, it will plant a useful seed.

Once you get inside that year to go, every result makes a deeper mark, which is why this month’s games are critical.

I used to find the autumn internationals harder than the Six Nations as a player. Four Tests in four weeks is relentless and the quality of opposition adds to that, with New Zealand and South Africa to come.

Argentina should not be taken lightly. They proved in beating the All Blacks in August they can turn over anyone.

It cannot have been easy for Michael Cheika to juggle his Argentina head coach role with taking charge of Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup but they will not have been too badly disrupted by that. He will have leaned on his assistant coaches and technology to keep things running smoothly.

He would not have wanted to miss another head-to-head with Jones. There is respect but no love lost there and Cheika would love to put one over his old Randwick team-mate.

Jones is finally able to put out a side he must have dreamt of. Manu Tuilagi’s return gives Marcus Smith the threat he needs outside him to play his best rugby. No one can punch holes like Tuilagi and having someone like that to hold a defence gives Smith more chance to open holes out wide.

Picking Maro Itoje in the back row offers lock Alex Coles a chance to show what he is about on his debut.

It has been a cheerless time for the game, with the financial issues in the Premiership. Let’s hope England can put a smile on its face this November.