Rugby World Cup 2011
Cueto doubt for England opener
ESPNscrum Staff
September 7, 2011
World Cup winner Robinson tips Armitage to step into Cueto's shoes
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Players/Officials: Mark Cueto
Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Just over 24 hours after it was confirmed that England will kick off their World Cup campaign without captain Lewis Moody, it is now being reported that winger Mark Cueto is also set to sit out Saturday's tournament opener against Argentina.

The Sale wing has been struggling with a lower back problem since the week of England's final warm-up international against Ireland. Cueto was forced off just 21 minutes into England's victory at the Aviva Stadium. If Cueto misses the Pumas game London Irish full-back Delon Armitage is expected to start on the wing for the first time in a Test.

An England spokesman refused to confirm whether Cueto was still in contention to face Argentina or not, saying only that he had trained. England captain Moody has been training with the squad - but he was ruled out of the opening game after failing to recover from a knee ligament injury in time.

Red rose manager Martin Johnson will confirm his team to face the Pumas at 1.30am UK time. Johnson is expected to name a team featuring two personnel changes from the side that started against Ireland, with Armitage on the wing and Nick Easter back at number eight after he was withdrawn from the Dublin clash as a precaution with a tight calf.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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