England and Pumas can afford no mistakes

With three teams realistically vying the for the two qualifying spots in Pool B, the match between England and Argentina at Otago Stadium already has a "must-win" feel for two sides who are expected to reach the knockout stages of Rugby World Cup 2011.

The ambitions of Georgia and Romania will play a part in the next three weeks but, with Scotland also strong contenders for the quarter-finals, defeat on Saturday would mean an uphill battle to qualify.

Attention has focused on the duel between two of the most formidable packs in rugby, but the kicking contest between England's Jonny Wilkinson and Argentina captain Felipe Contepomi could also be crucial.

Wilkinson, who booted England to World Cup victory in 2003 and to the final four years ago, has been preferred to Toby Flood at fly half, while Contepomi has the task of emulating the devastating accuracy of Juan Martin Hernandez, who misses the tournament through injury.

"They do what they do very well, but they've got more dimensions than many people, particularly in the media, give them credit for," England manager Martin Johnson said of Argentina, who beat hosts France for third place at RWC 2007.

"They are a good running side and they play a positive game. This is a full-on Test against a team that finished third in the world last time out."

Johnson has named his strongest XV for the match, barring two injuries. Captain Lewis Moody has been ruled out with a knee injury, while Mark Cueto ceded his place on the left wing to Delon Armitage after not being deemed fit enough.

Shortage of action

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan, who like Johnson competed as a player at RWC 2003, also has his best available side.

However, their form since 2007 has been patchy and they have played half as many Tests as England in the past four years - a problem that should be remedied when they compete against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the new Four Nations competition from next year.

"The preparation has been far from ideal but we have used 100 per cent of our resources in getting ready for the World Cup," Contepomi said this week.

"You can sit down and moan or you can take the bull by the horns and make the most of it.

"We're focused on the World Cup, we haven't thought about the Four Nations but it will be a big step to be involved in that tournament."

The battle in the front row sees 2003 winner Steve Thompson at hooker for England in between Andrew Sheridan and Dan Cole, packing down against Rodrigo Roncero, Mario Ledesma and Juan Figallo.

Pumas second row Patricio Albacete said England's determination to dominate Argentina in their strongest area made them a tough proposition.

"England are superb because they want to beat us where they think we are strongest - in the forwards," he said.