Christian Wade’s debut will be intense, says Stuart Lancaster

Christian Wade will launch what Stuart Lancaster hopes is the start of a long Test career when he makes his England debut against Argentina in Salta tomorrow.

Wade (above) scored 18 tries in 26 appearances for London Wasps last season to earn both the players’ player and young player of the year awards.

With England’s regular No14 — Saracens’ Chris Ashton — being rested for this two-Test trip, Wade gets his first cap along with Gloucester’s Matt Kvesic, who is asked to the fill the void left by captain Chris Robshaw — also left at home.

“This is a big challenge but also a fantastic opportunity,” said head coach Lancaster. “It is the perfect challenge for these players. It will be Test match rugby. The intensity will be higher than some of the players have played in before. The speed of thought and deed, dealing with the passion and emotion of it all will be critical.”

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