Wales centre Jamie Roberts has been dropped to the replacements’ bench for Saturday’s clash against Argentina in Cardiff.
Wales’ interim head coach Rob Howley has made six changes for the Pumas encounter, calling up wing Liam Williams, centre Jonathan Davies, scrum-half Gareth Davies, prop Tomas Francis, lock Alun Wyn Jones and flanker Sam Warburton following last weekend’s 32-8 drubbing by Australia.
Dan Biggar stays at outside-half, with Sam Davies – who made his debut against the Wallabies – losing out to Gareth Anscombe for a place on the bench.
Despite squad captain Warburton returning, though, prop Gethin Jenkins remains as captain, while Davies and Scott Williams form an all-Scarlets midfield pairing as Davies returns from a tight hamstring and 84 times-capped Roberts drops out of the starting XV.
Jenkins is joined in the front row by Ken Owens and Tomas Francis, while Luke Charteris partners Wyn Jones behind them, with Bradley Davies ruled out through injury.
Warburton is recalled at blindside, alongside Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty, with Dan Lydiate dropping out of the 23-man squad.
“We’ve made a number of changes, some of which are selection based and injury enforced but we are also able to select from a number of players returning from injury as well,” said Howley.
“In the backline Liam (Williams) and Jon (Davies) are both back and available and come into the side. We were pleased with Leigh’s performance at full-back last week and we feel this is the best back three combination for this game.
“Jon has recovered from his tight hamstring and will link up with Scott in midfield and it’s a blow to lose Rhys (Webb), but Gareth (Davies) is an excellent scrum half as he has shown on many occasions in the No.9 jersey and he will see it as a great opportunity.
“We’ve made a number of changes in the pack, Tomas Francis starts at tight-head and its great to welcome Alun Wyn Jones back into the side after what has been a really tough few weeks for him and his family.
“Sam (Warburton) came through the match for the Blues well last weekend and comes into the side at blindside. With Sam returning, we have spoken to him and we feel its best for him to focus purely on his performance and role on Saturday, leaving the captaincy with Gethin (Jenkins)
“In terms of achievements its great to see Dan win his 50th cap and also it’s a huge honour for Gethin as he becomes the World’s most capped front-row forward.”
WALES TEAM TO PLAY ARGENTINA:
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)
