Argentina. Land of Corned Beef, Eva Peron, the Tango, and Los Pumas rugby team. Whilst their footballing counterparts, driven by Maradonna and primadonnas, have twice won the World Cup, the Argentine rugby team has never dominated on the world stage. They face a permanent struggle in fact. They have no annual tournament to compete in (entry to the Tri-Nations in 2012 is long overdue), an amateur domestic league and their players ply their trade far and wide across Europe (mainly France, a place that has become a home from home for their top stars).
Despite this, they finished third in the 2007 World Cup and come to Twickenham ranked higher than England in the IRB rankings list.
Argentina have always produced great forwards, particularly front five forwards. Scrummaging is in their blood. Some of the forwards turned out by the Pumas are bigger and stronger than the beef cattle that roam the Humid Pampa. Their problem (like Italy) has always been finding backs who can convert possession into points. The reason for Argentina’s success over the last few years is that those backs finally appeared. The likes of Juan Martin Hernandez, Felipe Contepomi, Ignacio Corleto came on the scene and provided the dash to go with the dump trucks up front. Sadly none of these three will feature at Twickenham and the test for Argentina will be whether the new players they bring in to their back line can match the exploits of the missing stars.
Although maybe the backs won’t have to do much. The forecast is for a torrential downpour in TW1. Manna from heaven for the likes of Scelzo, Roncero, Albacete. One shudders to think what that crowd could do to England’s pack.
England’s pack. Yes. Where do we start? Forget the injury excuses. Compared to Argentina’s preparation for this match we have nothing to complain about. There was an interesting statistic on Sky’s Rugby Club last night. Against Australia, the England front five, between them, carried a total of 11 times, for a total of 11 metres gained. 11!! No wonder we are struggling to dent holes in attack if our big men are not getting over the gainline! OK so Steve Borthwick might be in the side for leadership and lineout (alledgedly). That is fine if you pick someone alongside him who is a big brute (a Danny Grewcock if you like). Louis Deacon is not that person. Presumably James Haskell and Dylan Hartley have been introduced to rectify this glaring issue. My question would be, who in this England pack is going to do the dirty work, the hard grunt around the fringes, knocking down the waves of big Argentine forwards? Joe Worsley is on the bench but I would have picked him to start this one. Still, the team is what it is.
On another note, it is disrespectful that the RFU still do not consider Argentina worthy of the same status as the other SANZAR nations when it comes to billing this match. Yes it makes it easier to get tickets, but is it not time Argentina were given some more kudos? After all they beat England on their last visit to Twickenham. Dom and I were at that match ( a depressing experience) and for the first time ever we nearly had a fight at a rugby match. With England “fans”. Who objected to us applauding good Argentina play. Sometimes free ticket allocation is not a good thing.
So who will win the game? Well, Jonny will kick the points again to keep England in touch, Argentina will probably struggle to gel and surely Shane Geraghty cannot play as badly as last week? But that rain….
I think England will sneak a win by no more than 4 points. But then I also think Los Pumas will claim another (marginally) against the odds victory to add to the impressive list of notches on their belt.

Leicester v Northampton
Game of the weekend. Similar to the Tiger’s match up last week against Irish. This week however the Tigers are at home, and they rarely lose at home. Big ask for Northampton. The loss of Hartley, Lawes, Geraghty and Foden will surely prove too much.
Maxamatic says: Leicester by 4
Guscott says: Leicester by 5-7

Dom says Leicester are used to having strength in depth at international time.
Leicester by 10.

Newcastle v Worcester
Newcastle shocked Bath last weekend and will be boosted by that result. Worcester slumped at home. Will be a typical mid-to-low table slugfest.
Maxamatic says: Newcastle by 6
Guscott says: Newcastle by 7-10

Dom says that Newcastle did well last week but I still fancy Worcester to claim a few scalps this season.
Draw.

One of the sub-plots of yesterday’s clash between London Irish and Leicester was the battle of the open sides. The old nutter Lewis Moody versus the young wrecking ball Steffon Armitage. One of them is almost certain to line up for England against Australia in two weeks time, so who is the best bet to fill the troublesome 7 jersey? This is a position that England have not really filled since Neil Back retired. Partly it has to be said, because Moody himself has been second only to Jonny Wilkinson in the “always injured” stakes. Moody in his prime was as good a backrow player as England has seen. Let’s not forget that he split up the holy trinity of Dallaglio/Hill/Back at the start of the Autumn Internationals in 2002, was almost superhuman against New Zealand that year and it was only injury (surprise surprise) that let Back regain his place in the side. It was Moody’s line out take in the 2003 World Cup final that led to that drop goal. Since that great day, Moody has been seen only sporadically.
Last season Moody regained his place in the England squad and then promptly broke an ankle. Upon his return he looked washed up, at one point Martin Corry outpaced him during the Barbarians match. Happily this season he has returned from yet more injury in fine form for Leicester and is looking something like his old self. His intensity and disregard for his own safety (that borders on the insane and accounts for his high injury rate) gives real drive to any side he plays for. At one point yesterday he hammered young Armitage so hard in a tackle that he forced a knock on, a telling moment in their personal dual.
The London Irish flanker is a different type of player. Short, squat, but deceptively powerful, his low centre of gravity makes him almost impossible to shift when he is over the ball. In this respect he reminds me of George Smith. He carries better than Moody, indeed he carries better than Steve Borthwick. His ability to punch holes in opposition fringe defences could in fact be his biggest value to England.
With England’s current injury situation, it might be Moody’s experience and dynamism that win him the day. Moody to start then with the pocket battleship to come off the bench. Or even how about this, Moody at 6, Armitage at 7? Who knows, If England get any more injuries, it just might happen.

Moody – 73/90
Armitage – 70/90

Following on from Dom’s recent steller prediction performance (and his contribution below) I have decided to open myself to ridicule by offering my own predictions for the weekend. No doubt in the process proving why I don’t gamble and Dom does. And why I only write tripe on a blog as opposed to writing tripe and being handsomely paid for it (a la Barnesy…!)

Saracens v Leeds: Saracens are tootling along nicely and will surely inflict more pain on Neil Back’s beleagured drop favourites. South Afracens by 18.

SATURDAY

Bath v Newcastle

This season we’re still waiting for the West Country clubs to hit their straps but Newcastle aren’t in the best of form either.

Can Newcastle break their duck at the Rec?

I doubt it.

There’s really not much to say about these clubs and this match.

Verdict: Bath to kick start their season by 12.

Gloucester v Wasps

Gloucester flew out of the blocks in the opening game of the season against Bath but have since lost their way.

Wasps have had an unusually strong start to the season – they usually like to finish late – but it will be interesting to see how they fare without Cipriani. On his day, Walder can be a game winner but too often he’s off form..

Verdict: Gloucester to join Bath to make it a good day out West – by 5.

London Irish v Leicester

Will this be the battle of the contenders for the England 7 shirt? Armitage vs Moody.

Irish are right up near the top of the table just behind Saracens whilst Leicester find themselves in an unusual mid-table position.

Irish are on form and have firepower to burn in the backs.

Leicester have injuries and the Madejski is a hard place to go and win but the Midlands outfit know how to tough it out.

Verdict: Leicester by 3

Northampton v Sale

Northampton have got a buzz about them – they’re going places especially with the players they’ve got all along the backline. Geraghty is on fire, Clarke for me has the makings of a new Greenwood, and then there’s the back three who are the match of anyone in the Premiership.

This might be the time for a Charlie Hodgson special but the players who left last season have just left too big a hole.

Verdict: Northampton by 10.

Worcester v Harlequins

There are so many teams with an imperious looking back three, none more so that these teams.

With Miles Benjamin, Marcel Garvey and Chris Latham, Worcester have one of the most exciting back threes in the Premiership.
So what say Harlequins with Brown, Strettle and Monye, possibly the player of the season so far.

I fancy Worcester to take some scalps this season – especially with Ruddock and Sanderson at the wheel – but at some point Harlequins are going to turn around and give someone a pounding.Verdict: Worcester to win six points.

Verdict: Harlequins by 8

SUNDAY

Saracens v Leeds

It’s a question of how much?

Leeds aren’t going to get their first win of the season playing at the home of the streetwise, street tough Saracens.

Verdict: Saracens by 20

Friday
Sale vs London Irish
We said Sale by 3, Results said Irish by 3.

Saturday
Leicester vs Worcester
We said Leicester by 12, Results said Leicester by 5.

Harlequins vs Bath
We said Harlequins by 2, Results said Harlequins by 2.

Sunday
Leeds vs Gloucester
We said Gloucester by 14, Results said Gloucester by 16.

Newcastle vs Saracens
We said Saracens by 10, Results said Saracens by 7.

Wasps vs Northampton
We saidWasps by 5, Results said Wasps by 5.

FRIDAY

Sale v London Irish

London Irish have got a tough season ahead of them.

They’re trying to play attacking rugby but everyone wants to put one over on them.

Sale are struggling having lost some big names from the playing and coaching staff but they’ve got enough talent to see them through.

This will probably be a typically hard Friday night in Manchester. There’s a good case for the Irish but I think Friday night is Sale night.

Verdict: Sale by 3 points.

SATURDAY

Harlequins v Bath

This is the battle of scandals with both trying to put a torrid summer and a tough season start behind them.

Both teams will be looking to move on from their draws last week with Harlequins possibly carrying a little more momentum from their stalemate and they’re at home.

Quins produced a great comeback to draw at Newcastle while Bath could only draw at home to Leicester, but I believe Bath have got a good enough squad to really compete and get in the top four.

The backline battle is going to be very interesting. The fly-half contest will catch the eye because Nicky Little has slotted in well at 10 for Bath and Nick Evans is world class for Quins, but I think Bath have a bit more firepower.

Verdict: It’s going to be close but Harlequins by 2.

Leicester v Worcester

This is a fascinating battle.

Worcester have got some fireposer in their back three with Miles Benjamin, Marcel Garvet and Chris Latham, the two wings looking very potent last week.

The combination of 6 Nations winning coach Mike Ruddock and captain Pat Sanderson should know how to win games but Leicester at home is as tough as it gets.

Verdict: Leicester by 12.

SUNDAY

Leeds v Gloucester

Another interesting match with both teams not exactly firing.

Leeds are at home and looking to break their duck but Brian Redpath will be expecting his Gloucester to finally hit their straps.

I fancy Gloucester to finally find themselves and run away with this one.

Verdict: Gloucester by 14.

Newcastle v Saracens

Not one for the spectator.

Saracens are looking to boost their fanbase but play a one-dimensional game to win at all costs.

Although they’ll be missing Borthwick, their game plan is in the groove. They like a scrap and they’ll get one.

Newcastle are moving on and they played well in parts last weekend but I think Sarries will have too much nous.

Verdict: Saracens by 10.

Wasps v Northampton

Could be the game on the weekend with plenty of players with an eye on selection for the autumn internationals.

Northampton are trying to play a nice blend of rugby and have form men in Foden and Clarke.

There will be some interesting comparisons at first and second five-eighths in Cipriani and Geraghty and at scrum-half with in form Joe Simpson versus Lee Dickson.

Northampton should do well this season but is Wasps at home one step too far.

Verdict: Wasps by 5.

How fantastic it was to get to see some Premiership rugby on the Beeb this week, as highlights of Bath vs Wasps at the Rec was shown on Sunday on BBC2 at 1pm.

I think Sky’s coverage of rugby in general is fantastic and I’m a big fan on their team of experts with Barnes and Harrison streets ahead of the gossipy Moore and Butler.

However, I don’t have Sky at the minute and, apart from what I read in the papers, I am completely out of touch with what’s happening in domestic rugby.

The fact that it was a fantastic game was just a bonus.

 Alas, the only remaining scheduled programme is at midnight next Sunday.