Thu 10 Nov 2022 | 02:49

Wales Make A Handful Of Changes Whilst Argentina Stay Consistent

Wales coach Wayne Pivac has made three changes to the side that were thumped by New Zealand in their Autumn Series opener last weekend.

Electric winger Louis Rees-Zammit gets his first start at fullback due to Leight Halfpenny’s continued injury enforced absence in Welsh colours having shifted over from the wing.

In his place Alex Cuthbert makes a return on the wing with the duo forming an exciting looking back three with last week’s debutant Rio Dyer.

Elsewhere the experienced Dan Lydiate takes over from Tommy Reffell who is out with an injury whilst Tighthead prop Dillon Lewis also gets the start.

In a rather big development, the legendary Alun-Wyn Jones is dopped from the 23 altogether.

Speaking at the team announcement Pivac said, "Dillon had done well in South Africa,"

"This is probably the last opportunity to give guys starts and learn as much as we can. Both Dillon and Dan Lydiate have trained well.

"There are some changes among the replacements. There are some niggles that players pick up in games and in training, so some guys have been left out to get themselves 100% right for next week.

"Some boys we want to have a look at across the competition so in the case of Nicky Smith and Rhodri Jones that's certainly what we wanted to do the first couple of games."

Argentina head coach Michael Cheika has stuck with the same team as the one who beat England at Twickenham.

Wales: 15. Louis Rees-Zammit, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. George North, 12. Nick Tompkins, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Gareth Thomas, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Dillon Lewis, 4. Will Rowlands, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: 16. Ryan Elias, 17. Rhodri Jones, 18. Sam Wainwright, 19. Ben Carter, 20. Jac Morgan, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Owen Watkin.

Argentina: 15. Juan Cruz Mallia, 14. Mateo Carreras, 13. Matias Moroni, 12. Jeronimo De La Fuente, 11. Emiliano Boffelli, 10. Santiago Carreras, 9. Gonzalo Bertranou, 1. Thomas Gallo, 2. Julian Montoya (capt), 3. Francisco Gomez Kodela, 4. Matias Alemanno, 5. Tomas Lavanini, 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez, 7. Marcos Kremer, 8. Pablo Matera.

Replacements: 16. Ignacio Ruiz, 17. Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 18. Eduardo Bello, 19. Lucas Paulos, 20. Facundo Isa, 21. Elisio Morales, 22. Tomas Albornoz, 23. Matias Orlando.