Gatland names Wales team for Argentina Test

Wales, who picked up their first win in Argentina for 14 years, named their side for the second Test in Santa Fe knowing a win could be enough to move them above England in the World Rugby rankings should Eddie Jones’ side slip to defeat in Bloemfontein.

Warren Gatland’s side won 23-10 in San Juan and will be looking for a three-game sweep following their win over South Africa in Washington DC.

Wales have made five changes with Cory Hill staying on as captain.

?Team Announcement: Wales make 5 changes for final summer tour test. @coryhill_ remains captain with Ellis Jenkins, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Aled Davies & Owen Watkin all coming into the side to face @lospumas ??????? v ?? pic.twitter.com/q93XhElCl3

— Welsh Rugby Union ??????? (@WelshRugbyUnion) June 14, 2018

In comes Ellis Jenkins, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis into the front row, while Aled Davies is named at scrum half and Owen Watkin is at inside centre alongside Scott Williams.

Jenkins comes into the back-row at blindside flanker to link up with James Davies at openside and Ross Moriarty at No8.

Hill and Beard continue their partnership in the second row whilst it is a new look front row with Ryan Elias and Tomas Francis coming in for their first starts of the tour alongside Rob Evans.

Aled Davies also gets his first start at half-back alongside Rhys Patchell. Watkin comes into the midfield and partners Scott Williams in the centre with Hadleigh Parkes ruled out through injury.

Parkes picked up a compound fracture to his finger in the Test against Argentina last weekend and is due to have it assessed again soon. Samson Lee’s tour is also over, the prop has been released from the squad and returned home due to a back injury.

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The back-three is unchanged from the victory in San Juan last weekend with Hallam Amos at full-back with Josh Adams and George North on the wings.

“We’ve made five changes to the starting line-up as we want to see a few players from the start and give those players a bit more opportunity” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“Looking at the objectives of this tour, we are right on track, we have won two games from two but more importantly we have exposed players to test match rugby and given more opportunity and that was the aim coming in.

“We want to go home three from three but we know the challenge that we are up against this weekend and we also are looking at the bigger picture. We might have picked a slightly different team if it was just about results but it is about more than that it is about building for 2019 and we are on the right track.

“Both Cory (Hill) and Ellis (Jenkins) have been great on tour as co-captains. This week with them both in the side we have just gone for a bit of continuity with Cory doing the job as he did last weekend. Additionally we are asking Ellis to play at six so this allows him to concentrate on that role on Saturday.”

Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis provide the front-row cover on the bench with Bradley Davies and Josh Turnbull named as the other forwards. Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe and Tom Prydie complete the replacements.

WALES TEAM TO FACE ARGENTINA
15. Hallam Amos (17 Caps)
14. Josh Adams (3 Caps)
13. Scott Williams (56 Caps)
12. Owen Watkin (5 Caps) –
11. George North (75 Caps)
10. Rhys Patchell (9 Caps)
9. Aled Davies (10 Caps)
1. Rob Evans (26 Caps)
2. Ryan Elias (4 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (32 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (3 Caps)
5. Cory Hill (17 Caps) (CAPTAIN)
6. Ellis Jenkins (7 Caps)
7. James Davies (2 Caps)
8. Ross Moriarty (23 Caps)

Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (9 Caps)
17. Nicky Smith (20 Caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (4 Caps)
19. Bradley Davies (62 Caps)
20. Josh Turnbull (9 Caps)
21. Tomos Williams (1 Cap)
22. Gareth Anscombe (17 Caps)
23. Tom Prydie (6 Caps)

In other news: Cheika and Foley look to take 2-0 lead in Ireland series