Leonard's record worry

Leonard (r) belts out the national anthem with Cockerill

Prop forward Jason Leonard has a special reason to hope the England players' strike can be resolved before the Test against Argentina on Saturday.

With the selected squad refusing to play until a pay row is resolved, Leonard faces missing out on a chance to break the record number of England appearances.

Leonard equalled Rory Underwood's 85 England caps when he played in Saturday's 22-19 victory over Australia.

And while supporting the action the players have taken, he is naturally hopeful a solution can be found in time for the weekend's match at Twickenham.

Unique dilemma

"I believe it will be resolved. I'm hoping that people will see sense and sit round the table again," Leonard told BBC Radio Five Live.

All we are asking for is a fair deal

  Jason Leonard

He said the players had fully considered the implications of walking out, and been level-headed during discussions.

"All we are asking for is a fair deal. It's been very calm and thoughtful," the Harlequins star said.

The unique dilemma facing Leonard is clearly not lost on his fellow pay rebels.

Former captain Matt Dawson said: "It's hard for Jason Leonard to not run out and be the most-capped international player ever after 85 caps.

International debut

"It's hard for everybody to do that and I would like to think that other players (outside the England squad) can see what the big picture is."

Ironically, Leonard's first three England matches were all against the Pumas.

His debut came on 28 July 1990 in Buenos Aires and he won 40 caps in a run that was halted only when he was rested for a World Cup game against Western Samoa in 1995.

That first appearance demonstrated his pride in playing for England.

He was ribbed relentlessly by his team-mates for revealing that he had spent the day after his debut watching his England shirt spin in his mother's washing machine.