Newcastle boss backs his Falcons to become key Pumas against England

Dave Walder, the Newcastle Falcons head coach, is backing his trio of Pumas to cause England problems at Twickenham on Sunday with wonder wing Mateo Carreras having already lit up the Gallagher Premiership with his try scoring talents.

Walder believes a frustrating period as an unused member of the Pumas squad in New Zealand during the recent Rugby Championship was the catalyst for Carreras’s outstanding form that has seen him deliver five tries this season, including one from deep inside his own half against Northampton.

With Argentina playing a more expansive game, the Newcastle centre partnership of Matias Orlando and Matias Moroni are set to start for the Pumas against England and if Carreras is included it will give the Falcons three players in the back line.

That would raise spirits at a Falcons team that is currently bottom of the Premiership going into Saturday’s home with Bath. Falcons have Adam Radwan back from England training which means a potential head to head with Carreras cannot happen at Twickenham, however, the Newcastle lock Sean Robinson has remained with England in the build up to the match.

Walder said: “Mateo was surprised by his call up because he had flown out to New Zealand in the Rugby Championship and held a tackle bag for two weeks and came back a little bit disheartened and maybe that lit the fire to start the season so well for us. He is competitive, a tough character and its great to see him get the recognition. I hope he starts on Sunday and the only disappointment is that he won’t be up against Adam Radwan.

“The form the Argentina players showed for us was great and I would expect them to either start or be on the bench against England. Felipe Contepomi has come in with (head coach) Michael Cheika and they have got the balance about right and can change their style depending on the opposition. I like what Contepomi does with the team and their players are combative but also have that little bit of finesse as well.

“It will be a good challenge for England who are coming off the back of their summer tour where they won the series against Australia but then Argentina won for the first time in New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.

“The first test of the autumn is always interesting and with Argentina having played more recently that could be a factor and then you have England selection and how many new combinations there will be. Argentina will fancy their chances but England at home – you would be foolish to back against them.”