Wales Team to Face Argentina Announced

The Wales team to play Argentina in the Dove Men Series opener at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (2.30pm) shows just four changes to the starting line-up from the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam winning side – including one debutant.

Up front Ospreys prop Aaron Jarvis comes in for his injured team-mate Adam Jones on the tight-head to win his first cap, whilst Scarlets flanker Josh Turnbull makes his second start in national colours, winning his fifth cap, in place of Dan Lydiate (also injured).

In the backs Scarlet Tavis Knoyle replaces Mike Phillips at scrum-half, with Phillips providing cover from the bench and another Scarlet Scott Williams replaces his regional team mate Jonathan Davies in the centre. Davies was unavailable for selection this week after failing to fully recover from the groin injury he sustained whilst on Scarlets duty against Clermont in the Heineken Cup.

“One or two injuries have forced our hands in certain areas in terms of selection, but the fact that we are still able to field a side packed with Grand Slam experience shows that we have been able to develop some depth in recent years,” said Wales interim head coach Rob Howley.

“We all know how important a good start against the Pumas will be to our November series, they arrive battle-hardened after a tough Rugby Championship campaign. They will be looking to silence the Millennium Stadium crowd from the outset and we know we can’t afford to let that happen, with a successful campaign this Autumn vital to our ambitions for the future.”

WALES SQUAD

Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Scott Williams, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Tavis Knoyle; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Aaron Jarvis, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Josh Turnbull, Sam Warburton (Captain), Toby Faletau

REPLACEMENTS: Richard Hibbard, Ryan Bevington, Paul James, Rob McCusker, Justin Tipuric, Mike Phillips, James Hook, Liam Williams