Former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio, who returned to international action this weekend after almost a year out with injury, is to captain the team on their tour to Argentina later this year.

Dallaglio scored a try in England's 45-9 Six Nations win over Italy yesterday on his international comeback after 10 months out with a knee injury. And his performance suitably impressed coach Clive Woodward, who told the BBC today: "I am impressed with his leadership qualities."

Dallaglio will take charge of of the two-test tour of Argentina in June that precedes a one-off test against South Africa, and replaces lock Martin Johnson, who will be rested.

Back row forward Dallaglio was stripped of the England captaincy in 1999 after a tabloid newspaper alleged he had admitted taking cocaine and ecstasy during the 1997 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

Dallaglio damaged knee ligaments playing for his club Wasps last year and aggravated the injury in Australia when on tour with the British and Irish Lions.

He returned for surgery and after playing for Wasps last month, came on against Italy on Sunday as a second-half substitute.