The key area that Cheika is having 'profound impact' on Argentina

Matias Moroni has insisted that Michael Cheika is instilling into his Argentina players the belief they can be world-beaters. The Pumas face England at Twickenham on Sunday with the aim of building on a promising Rugby Championship in which they defeated Australia and New Zealand.

Cheika took charge of Argentina earlier this year and the Australian, who guided the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final, has been credited with overseeing a revival. He steps down after next year’s global showpiece in France and Newcastle three-quarter Moroni believes his grasp of player psychology is already having a profound impact.

“Michael has been working with us and the most important thing is the mentality. He has started to show us if we want it, we can do it,” Moroni said. “He has been working with us on our mentality and giving us the confidence that we have a great team and great players. It’s showing in those of us playing in the Premiership and in France.”

Moroni swapped Leicester for Newcastle over the summer and departed Welford Road with a high opinion of the leadership skills of Ellis Genge, who will start at prop for England on Sunday. “The way he led when we played at Leicester was by doing things,” he said.

“He talked really well also but also did his talking on the pitch and through the way he trains, the way he plays, the way he carries. He pushed the team to win the Premiership title last season but this weekend we are on different teams.”