Lions want Argentina Test in 2021

Solomona in as Eddie puts faith in youth

THE Lions could face Argentina on their 2021 tour of South Africa. Lions CEO John Feehan has proposed a one-off Test against the Pumas for the first time on tour since 1927. The Lions traditionally play the three heavyweights — Australia, New Zealand and South Africa — but Argentina could soon have a regular spot on the fixture schedule. ‘Argentina would like to play the Lions and we’d like to play Argentina,’ said Feehan. ‘If Ireland can play New Zealand in Chicago, I’m sure Argentina can play the Lions if they’re prepared to fly out. ‘There can’t be an eight-game tour to Argentina because there wouldn’t be enough teams to play.’ England will tour Argentina in June without their 16 Lions representatives. Sportsmail understands the TV rights for the series remain unsold, with less than two months until the first Test on June 10.

EDDIE JONES is confident Sale’s cross- code star Denny Solomona can demonstrate the same fervent desire to play for England as his other ‘desperate young men’, after qualifying on residency.

The national coach yesterday named a squad featuring try-scoring phenomenon Solomona as one of 15 uncapped players in a squad of 31, to undertake a two-Test tour of Argentina.

Last year while still playing rugby league for Castleford, the New Zealand-born 23-year- old represented Samoa, but has embraced a shift of allegiance since moving to union.

Jones reiterated yesterday that he wants men driven by an obsession to play for their country, but he was adamant that Solomona could bring the requisite commitment to the national cause.

‘He’s keen to play for England,’ said the Australian head coach.

Asked if he could be sufficiently desperate to make his mark, Jones added: ‘I can’t see why not. I think I am as desperate to coach England to a win as any England coach and I haven’t been brought up in England. It’s about how you feel and how much you want it.’

Solomona only qualified last month and he has been selected despite the RFU leading a campaign to increase the residency qualification period from three to five years. That change is thought to be imminent, but Jones insisted that England weren’t simply picking someone quickly in case he slipped through the net.

‘We don’t need to warehouse players in England,’ he said, in what appeared to be a backhanded reference to the ‘project player’ system used by Ireland and Scotland in particular.

‘ He’s been picked purely on merit. He scores tries and that’s their job, wingers. They’re like goalkeepers. A goalkeeper has so many saves in the game and a good goalkeeper makes those saves, they don’t miss them.

‘A good winger, when they get a good opportunity, they score. If they get half an opportunity, they score. And that’s what he’s good at. He’s got a certain X-factor.’

Among Jones’s newcomers, another wing stands out in Joe Cokanasiga of London Irish, a member of the Grand Slam-winning Under 20s side who could emerge as a giant wide-man in the George North mould. Jones was asked to outline his credentials. ‘He’s big, and he’s fast,’ he said. The motivation for the rookies is to force their way into England’s World Cup plans, and among those the uncapped men are two teenage prospects: Sale’s identical-twin flankers, Ben and Tom Curry.

‘I’m looking forward to working with the Currys because I want to find out if I can tell the difference between them,’ Jones quipped.

‘They tell me one’s got short hair and one’s a bit stockier. I hear they’re very competitive about everything — A- Levels, their weight, their haircuts, girlfriends, everything. I think we’ll keep them competing against each other.’

Of the rest, Jones acclaimed Exeter scrum-half Jack Maunder as a ‘cheeky little bugger’, while his club- mate, prop Harry Williams was described as a ‘ big unit’ who ‘needs a haircut’. And in particular, there is excitement about Saracens lock Nick Isiekwe.

‘When you look at where he is now compared to where Maro (Itoje) was, he is going to be a really good player,’ said Jones.

‘He is obsessed with wanting to be great and he has definitely got the potential.’

There was a message, too, for the likes of Christian Wade, Marland Yarde, Teimana Harrison, Mike Williams and Tommy Taylor, who missed out on selection.

‘ Work harder and get more desperate,’ said Jones, when asked what he would tell the disappointed, omitted men.