England tighthead Dan Cole says fellow prop Ellis Genge is ready if needed to face Argentina’s notoriously strong front-row on Saturday.
Eddie Jones could rest first-choice loosehead Mako Vunipola while Joe Marler is suspended and Cole feels Genge is capable of stepping up.
“A year ago, when he was called in against Australia, maybe he was in there on potential, but now he’s here on merit because he is one of the top two or three looseheads in the country,” Cole said of his Leicester team-mate to Sky Sports.
“Look at his form in the Premiership – he has been outstanding. I know Joe is suspended this week, but Ellis is here on merit because he’s in the top two or three looseheads in the country.
“He’s progressed a lot. If you look at when he came to Leicester, a year-and-a-bit ago, he was very raw. But playing week-in, week-out has helped him make massive improvements to his game.
“He’s always been able to carry and he’s always had that abrasive edge, but I think he’s more controlled now in what he can do and how he can channel his physicality.
“He plays on edge but rarely goes over it. He brings physicality. He chats in scrums with the opposition, he is vocal around the field. That is his mentality, how he plays the game.
“I think he’s got better as a defender too and his scrum has come along significantly as well. He obviously has the physical make-up – strong, powerful.”
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