BAGSHOT (UNITED KINGDOM) - England have recalled lock George Kruis to their starting line-up for Saturday's international against Argentina at Twickenham as coach Eddie Jones made four changes to the side that beat Fiji 58-15 last weekend.
England's George Kruis (C) tackles Australia's Stephen Moore (R) during the rugby union international in Brisbane on June 11, 2016
Kruis, yet to feature for England this month, has recovered from an ankle injury while, elsewhere in the pack, Tom Wood starts at flanker in place of Northampton team-mate Teimana Harrison.
Saracens star Kruis gets his chance after fellow lock Joe Launchbury received a two-week ban for kicking against Fiji.
Behind the scrum, Mike Brown starts at fullback with Jonny May on the wing after Jones dropped Semesa Rokoduguni despite the Fiji-born flyer scoring two tries against his native country last week.
"Selection was interesting this week but it shows how competitive and how much depth we are developing," said Jones, who has won all his 11 games as England coach, after announcing his side on Thursday.
"We've had a strong week's preparation and I've been really impressed by the players desire to get better. It is a strong and relentless team.
"All the credit for what the team has done so far this autumn deserves to go to the players who have been absolutely exceptional.
"Dylan Hartley has led from the front as have Owen Farrell, George Ford and Billy Vunipola. There are a number of other players that have been in leadership roles helping to develop the team."
- 'Quality Pumas' -
The Australian added: "This game against Argentina is a big step up for us as they were probably the second best team in the Rugby Championship and played some exceptional rugby.
"They are a quality team, have power in the forwards, speed and guile in the backs as well as great experience.
"We appreciate they have threats across the field and they have always been a physical, tough side. They still have their set-piece armoury in the scrum and line-outs so we’re looking forward to a great game of rugby against them.
"The set-piece is going to be important. We have worked hard on our scrum and maul this week so they are areas we feel we can get a slight dominance in.
"We are looking forward to that physical challenge because when you play against the Argentinians it is a challenge. It is forwards against forwards, backs against backs.
"It is a bit of an old fashioned game."
Jones, speaking later Thursday to reporters at England's Bagshot training base, justified his assessment of Argentina -- who finished bottom in the four-team Rugby Championship -- by saying: "Any team that stretches the All Blacks for 50 minutes is a pretty good team."
Argentina, who come into Saturday's match at Twickenham on the back of narrow defeats by both Wales and Scotland, were due to name their side later Thursday.
England (15-1)
Mike Brown; Jonny May, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw; George Kruis, Courtney Lawes; Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley (capt), Mako Vunipola
Replacements: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Charlie Ewels, Teimana Harrison, Danny Care, Ben Te’o, Henry Slade