Printerland Blog

Mark Cueto reports from inside the England camp……

I’M SURE that, like me and everyone involved in the squad, you were disappointed with the Barbarians result on Saturday. All the players felt it and we all know we are going to have to work really hard and prepare well to beat a very good Argentina side on Saturday at Old Trafford.

In the last 25 minutes we played well against the Barbarians and scored three tries with Andy Goode pulling the strings and Matt Banahan, Jordan Turner-Hall and Tom May the scorers but we know we must play much better this weekend and we are capable of doing that.

The good thing is that we have another game almost immediately and an opportunity to produce a positive result. I’m making good progress and, like Mathew Tait, I’m aiming to be available for selection on Saturday.

The result and doing my bit as part of the team (if I’m selected of course) will be the most important thing. But from a personal point of view, it would be a real thrill to step onto the pitch at Old Trafford. I’ve always been a huge Manchester United fan, I’ve been to see them play many times but to have the opportunity to actually play there would be very special.

There are other United fans in the squad – Ben Foden supports them and so does Keith Kent, the head groundsman at Twickenham, who worked under Sir Alex Ferguson for fifteen years so I’ve got my back up when the football banter starts with the Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal fans!

We’re staying at the Pennyhill Park hotel until Wednesday and then we’ll move up to our base just outside Manchester to prepare for the Pumas match before flying out to Argentina for the second Test on Sunday.

It’s going to be a very busy time for all of us, not just preparing and playing, but travelling as well. Would I have it any other way? No! I really enjoy being a professional rugby player and, like everyone in the squad, I want to finish the season a positive note.

Thanks again for all your support.

Cheers, Mark

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