Argentina 24 England 22

MATT Banahan believes he is ready for anything Test rugby can throw at him after emerging from England’s 24-22 defeat by Argentina with his reputation further enhanced.

The giant Bath winger has adapted to the international game with remarkable ease and has proved one of Martin Johnson’s finds of the season.

Showing speed, power and composure, he ran in England’s only try in front of a nationalistic Pumas crowd whose jumping shook the stands at the Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena.

Having survived his club baptism at the Shed, Gloucester’s infamous stand, Banahan insists the experience of playing in Argentina will enable him to feel at home in any Test arena.

‘‘I was always told that playing at the Shed will make or break a Premiership player,’’ he said.

‘‘To come to Argentina will probably make or break an England player as we only had about 10 fans there and it was really noisy. I was pleased with the way it went.

‘‘It was a very hostile environment but if you can play well in the worst places, hopefully when you visit the nicer places your standards will only rise.

‘‘Hopefully I can keep playing well in front of those Gloucester fans and the next time I go to Argentina, and into bigger games like Australia, New Zealand or Wales at the Millennium Stadium, I will cope.’’ Starting the summer in the England Saxons squad bound for the Churchill Cup, Banahan was called up by Johnson as injury cover for David Strettle.

But instead of holding tackle bags, the 6’7in, 18 stones back played in all three of England’s matches and his development has delighted a visibly impressed Johnson.

His next objective is to ensure he is among the 32 names included in the Elite Player Squad announced on July 1, though in reality his presence is now a formality.

Banahan combined beautifully with the equally effective Delon Armitage with two minutes to go, accepting the full-back’s pop pass before flattening Francisco Leonelli to score under the posts.

England were 21-3 down three minutes into the second half when Gonzalo Camacho crossed after Horacio Agulla had dashed through the midfield unchallenged.

But Argentina, inspired throughout by the electric Juan Martin Hernandez, wilted in the final quarter and were expertly reeled in by a series of Andy Goode penalties with Banahan’s converted try setting up a nervy climax.

‘‘Delon and I agreed to always expect the ball from each other. He knew I was there so he left it in the air and I did the rest. I was happy with that,’’ said Banahan.