Banahan: I'll never forget dream debut.

ENGLAND 37 ARGENTINA 15

From ALEX LOWE at Old Trafford MATT Banahan was still pinching himself after his tryscoring Test debut helped England overcome Argentina.

The giant Bath wing, 22, crossed the line in the first half to help put Martin Johnson's men in control and was impressive throughout to earn man-of-the-match honours.

Banahan, who stands 6ft 7in and weighs over 18 stone, cheekily punched the air in celebration before he had even touched down.

He said: "I saw the space and just went through it.

"There was a bit of celebration there but all that was going through my head was, 'This is my first game, I've got to enjoy it'.

" I'll never forget this day and I'm definitely pinchingmyself." Banahan profited from David Strettle's rotten injury luck to earn land squad for the two-Test series against the Pumas.

Banahan took his chance to impress Johnson with a typically dynamic performance against the Barbarians last weekend.

He was on the mark again in his full Test debut and added: "It's all about taking your opportunity because you don't know when it's your first and last time putting on an England shirt.

"You've got to play with all your heart and give everything.

If you're good enough you will keep playing." Delighted Delon Armitage also scored twice and Andy Goode booted 22 points as England moved above the Pumas to fifth in the world rankings.

England will be delighted to have kept Argentina tryless, although fly-half Juan Martin Hernandez was quick to punish any indiscretion and his 15 points kept the Pumas in touch.

Argentina were strengthened by the availability of their three-strong Stade Francais contingent and Hernandez stroked them into the lead after 70 seconds with a drop-goal.

Hernandez had pinned England back into their own corner with a pin-point kick and then profited when Dylan Hartley overthrew the lineout.

Hernandez missed the chance to extend Argentina's lead with a penalty soon after and then the first half was dominated by Goode's boot and a ferocious breakdown battle. a promotion into the senior

Steffon Armitage and James Haskell competed well on the floor and Goode's tactical kicking took the sting out of Argentina's early thrust and he edged England 9-3 ahead with a two simple penalties and a long-range drop-goal.

When England did piece together a slick attack it resulted in the opening try, with Banahan powering onto Armitage's grubber kick and through two defenders to touch down under the posts.

Hernandez slotted a penalty in reply but powerful surges from Nick Easter and Dylan Hartley set the platform for Goode to strike his second dropgoal of the half and secure England a 19-9 lead at halftime.

Goode extended England's lead with another penalty shortly after the restart and Hernandez responded with two of his own.

But the crowd soon got what they wanted with a try for Armitage after Care had launched a sizzling midfield break.

And England rounded off the victory with a scintillating try from Armitage, who raced through the gears to chase down another volley from Cueto.

ENGLAND: Tries: Banahan, D Armitage (2); Cons: Goode (2); Pens: Goode (4); Drops: Goode (2).

ARGENTINA: Pens: Hernandez (4); Drops: Hernandez..

CAPTION(S):

IMPRESSIVE: England's Matt Banahan against Argentina