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Preview: Argentina v Wales

Cory Hill leads Wales for the first time as they play Argentina tonight, with a side containing eight personnel changes from the starting XV that beat the Springboks in Washington last weekend.

Martyn Bicknell | 09/06/2018

Hill, one of two tour co-captains, and five Dragons in the match day squad, gets his proud moment in the first of two Tests against the Pumas.

The Dragons lock will pack down alongside Adam Beard in the second row and there is one change in the front row with Wyn Jones coming into the side to start alongside Elliot Dee and Dillon Lewis.

Seb Davies and Ross Moriarty remain in the back row and are joined by James Davies at openside flanker.

Scarlets half-backs Gareth Davies and Rhys Patchell are named at nine and ten, with Hadleigh Parkes partnering Scott Williams in the midfield.

George North, Josh Adams and Hallam Amos are named as the back three, with Aaron Wainwright set to make his debut if he can comes on off the replacements bench tonight.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland: "We have made a number of changes for Saturday as we want to give as much opportunity to the squad as possible during this campaign.

"Last weekend was an important result in difficult conditions up in Washington and we know we have got two big tests ahead of us against Argentina.

"They are a side that come together full of confidence and it is important we take our opportunities.

"There is a lot of exciting youth in this squad and Saturday is a chance for them to continue building their experience on the Test scene and to put a marker down."

The match in San Juan takes place at the 25,000-capacity Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario before the second Test next week in Santa Fe.

Wales come up against an Argentina side that endured a difficult 2017, winning just two of 12 matches, but are nonetheless confident due to the form of Super Rugby side Jaguares.

Argentina's starting XV all play for the Jaguares, who have won their last six Super Rugby matches and are second in the South African conference, with their last defeat by the Crusaders two months ago.

Gatland added: "Everyone talks about the strength of their (Argentina's) front five but I think they've tried to play a little bit more rugby and they've gone away from that in the last few years.

"This year they're trying to get their balance between they're traditional strengths and that Latino flair where they're capable of moving the ball.

"They're dangerous because they've got a good set piece and they're prepared to take risks to play with some tempo and some flair. On Saturday I think we'll see a great game of rugby. We want to play."

Wales team to face Argentina (San Juan, Saturday June 9, Kick-off 20.40 BST):

15. Hallam Amos (Dragons)
14. Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors)
13. Scott Williams (Scarlets)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets)
11. George North (Northampton Saints)
10. Rhys Patchell (Scarlets)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets)

1. Wyn Jones (Scarlets)
2. Elliot Dee (Dragons)
3. Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues)
4. Adam Beard (Ospreys)
5. Cory Hill (Dragons) (CAPTAIN)
6. Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues)
7. James Davies (Scarlets)
8. Ross Moriarty (Dragons)

Replacements:
16. Ryan Elias (Scarlets)
17. Rob Evans (Scarlets)
18. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs)
19. Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues)
20. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons)
21. Aled Davies (Scarlets)
22. Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues)
23. Owen Watkin (Ospreys)

STAT ATTACK
17 matches between the two nations, with 11 Wales wins
1991 - First capped encounter 

Last 3 games Argentina
Ireland 28 - 19 Argentina
Italy 15 - 31 Argentina
England 21 - 8 Argentina

Last 3 games Wales
South Africa 20 - 22 Wales
Wales 14 - 13 France
Wales 38 - 14 Italy

Last 3 games Head to Head
2012 - Wales 12 - 26 Argentina 
2013 - Wales 40 - 6 Argentina
2016 - Wales 24 - 20 Argentina

Watch the action on Channel 4, with the programme starting at 8.10pm, kick off 8.40pm.

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