Injured Strettle to miss Pumas Tests
GIANT Bath wing Matt Banahan has been drafted into the senior England squad after Harlequins’ David Strettle was ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Argentina with an abdominal injury.
Banahan earned himself promotion from the second string Saxons squad by impressing in Saturday’s 33-26 defeat to the Barbarians at Twickenham. The Jersey-born player, who is 6ft 7in tall and weighs 18 stone, marked his first senior England appearance with a try in the non-cap international. Banahan could make his official debut in Saturday’s clash with the Pumas at Old Trafford, with England travelling to Salta for the second Test the following weekend.
While Banahan’s international prospects look set to flourish, Strettle’s Test career continues to stall. The pacy 25-year-old has won just six caps since his debut in 2007, following a catalogue of injuries. Strettle has suffered a broken metatarsal three times, one of which saw him miss the 2007 World Cup.
England will today decide on centre Jamie Noon, who tweaked a hamstring in Saturday’s defeat.