Here is the Wales team to take on Argentina this weekend, featuring six changes.
Rob Howley is able to welcome back the experienced quartet of Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Liam Williams and Jonathan Davies who all missed the clash against Australia whilst Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis both earn starts against the Pumas.
WALES TEAM:
15. Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (63 Caps)
14. George North (Northampton Saints) (63 Caps)
13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (56 Caps)
12. Scott Williams (Scarlets) (39 Caps)
11. Liam Williams (Scarlets) (35 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (49 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (18 Caps)
1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (127 Caps) (CAPTAIN)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (43 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (15 Caps)
4. Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (69 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (102 Caps)
6. Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues) (67 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (44 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (10 Caps)
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (24 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (4 Caps)
18. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (27 Caps)
19. Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons) (1 Cap)
20. James King (Ospreys) (9 Caps)
21. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) (27 Caps)
22. Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues) (8 Cap)
23. Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) (84 Caps)
How will they fare against Argentina this weekend?
wow Lydiate and Roberts were dire last week and have actually been dropped. Still think Argentina will win this as Howley seemed to have little to no gameplan last week
Unless these changes mean a change of tactic (particularly in attack) I don’t think they will beat the Argies!!
Argentina are a class outfit and will look to exploit the weaknesses exposed by Aus last week. Even with Warbs, Wyn Jones, Williams and JD back I don’t think they have enough to win. It will be closer than Aus but not quite.
No real wing cover, would have liked to see Giles on the bench at least, he has got to be blooded at this level at some stage. Wales need a big performance after last weeks shambles.
So if Biggar gets crocked he is replaced by Anscombe? That could be interesting!!
If Biggar and one of the back three get crocked then things could be very interesting!!! Obviously Anscombe has to go in at 10 but who moves into the back 3?!
Roberts used to be a fullback/wing and won his first few caps there.
Poor old Cuthbert. Wales’ best player in the backs last week (or at least the only one that seemed to be trying) and this week he’s dumped.
Don’t see what Halfpenny adds given that Biggar can handle the kicking perfectly well. I don’t think Liam Williams will be half as effective from wing as he is from fullback.
I think Wales will lose by a fair few here. With Biggar at 10, they could have Ben Smith and Savea outside him and they still wouldn’t do much with ball in hand. For Wales to win, they need a 10 that can get a back line moving in a way that Biggar just can’t.
Pack looks better though, so I expect it to be much closer than last week.
One for you Welsh rugby experts – any good young locks coming along? AWJ and Charteris both north of 30 and Davies is almost there. Jake Ball hasn’t really forced himself into that combination yet. Anyone else?
Adam Beard and Rory Thornton at the Ospreys look like they’re going to be the long-term solution. Doubt we’ll see much of them in a Wales shirt for a few years, but Thornton is with the squad and could get a cap against Japan.
Thanks, I’ll look out for them.
Disappointed Biggar is still there. Davies and Anscombe have been playing well in the Pro12 and both offer a lot more in attack.
And Biggar really doesn’t work with Roberts at 12 – the defence can ignore him and drift out – so at least Williams is in and might do something unexpected, if he’s given the ball, and has the ability to bring in the outside backs.