London Irish winger Armitage is joined by Nick Easter at No. 8 who comes in for Hendre Fourie, with James Haskell reverting to openside flanker, in the only other change from their 20-9 win over Ireland in Dublin on August 27.

Mike Tindall will continue to captain the side as he did during the successful RBS 6 Nations campaign, deputising for the injured Lewis Moody, and Jonny Wilkinson retains the fly-half role with Toby Flood on the bench.

England manager Martin Johnson said: “Mark's had a little bit (of back trouble) before but he could have played.

“He trained fully all week but he's not quite where he needs to be - but the good things for us is Delon is playing very well.

“It's quite a simple decision. Delon has been around for a few years now, we know when he is in form he is a Test match player. We've no qualms about picking him in any of the back three positions.”

Wilkinson is one of three players in the starting line-up who started the 2003 final against Australia, hooker Steve Thompson and captain Tindall being the others, and becomes only the third English player to play in four World Cups

“Jonny's in good form and we know what he brings to the table. It's a good decision to have to make. Jonny just got his nose in front for this game, although that may change for this week or the week after, whatever we think is best.”

England team against Argentina
15. Ben Foden – Northampton
14. Chris Ashton – Northampton
13. Manu Tuilagi – Leicester
12. Mike Tindall – Gloucester
11. Delon Armitage – London Irish
10. Jonny Wilkinson – Toulon
9. Richard Wigglesworth – Saracens
1. Andrew Sheridan – Sale
2. Steve Thompson – Wasps
3. Dan Cole – Leicester
4. Louis Deacon – Leicester
5. Courtney Lawes – Northampton
6. Tom Croft – Leicester
7. James Haskell – Ricoh Black Rams
8. Nick Easter – Harlequins
Replacements:
16. Dylan Hartley – Northampton
17. Matt Stevens – Saracens
18. Tom Palmer – Stade Français
19. Tom Wood – Northampton
20. Ben Youngs – Leicester
21. Toby Flood – Leicester
22. Matt Banahan – Bath