Captain's loss 'no disruption' for England

England manager Martin Johnson said that his team would take the loss of captain Lewis Moody in their stride as they prepare to face Argentina in their Pool B opener at Otago Stadium on Saturday, 10 September.

Johnson announced on Monday that the World Cup-winning flanker had been ruled out after his recovery from a right-knee injury took longer than expected.

"These guys progress every day but he's just a little bit short," Johnson said.

"That's where we are, and we're very happy with the other guys. This is just game one of what I hope will be a long tournament."

James Haskell is likely to wear the number 7 shirt, while 72-cap centre Mike Tindall is one candidate to assume the captaincy.

Moody has played just 62 minutes of Test rugby this year, a statistic that demonstrates both his value to the team in being picked for World Cup duty, and England's ability to manage without him.

"I don't think this is a disruption," Johnson said.

"If we were in the World Cup and we were panicking about going into a game without someone, we'd feel like we were in a bad place."

Scrum half Ben Youngs has been another doubt to face the Pumas as he recovers from keyhole surgery on his knee.

Johnson said Youngs had been training normally, but withheld any further comment until the team announcement set for Thursday.

Richard Wigglesworth could start ahead of Youngs, with the uncapped Joe Simpson another option at scrum half.

"Ben Youngs is back fit so I don't know if I'll start," Wigglesworth said on Monday.

"Obviously it's everyone's goal to be first choice, and there's Joe Simpson as well. Danny Care was unlucky enough to pick up an injury before the tournament.

"You've just got to try and take your chance when you've got it."