Francis on bench for Pumas clash

By Mark Stevens
7/6/18

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis has been named on the bench for Wales ahead of their Test clash against Argentina in San Juan on Saturday (4:40pm).

The 26-year-old - who has 31 international caps to his name - is brought straight into the squad after being called up earlier this week after missing last weekend's 22-20 victory over South Africa in Washington.

Head coach Warren Gatland has made eight changes to his starting XV from that which tackled the Springboks. 

Lock Cory Hill, one of two tour co-captains, will lead his country for the first time and will pack down alongside Adam Beard in the second row. 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 10 with Hadleigh Parkes partnering Scott Williams in the midfield. George North, Josh Adams and Hallam Amos are named as the back-three.

"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," said Gatland. "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."

Ryan Elias, Rob Evans and Tomas Francis provide the front-row cover on the bench with Josh Turnbull and uncapped back-row Aaron Wainwright completing the forward contingent. Aled Davies, Gareth Anscombe and Owen Watkin provide the back-line cover.

WALES TEAM TO FACE ARGENTINA

15. Hallam Amos (16 Caps)

14. Josh Adams (2 Caps)

13. Scott Williams (55 Caps)

12. Hadleigh Parkes (7 Caps)

11. George North (74 Caps)

10. Rhys Patchell (8 Caps)

9. Gareth Davies (32 Caps)

1. Wyn Jones (9 Caps)

2. Elliot Dee (8 Caps)

3. Dillon Lewis (3 Caps)

4. Adam Beard (2 Caps)

5. Cory Hill (16 Caps, capt)

6. Seb Davies (5 Caps)

7. James Davies (1 Cap)

8. Ross Moriarty (21 Caps)

Replacements

16. Ryan Elias (3 Caps)

17. Rob Evans (25 Caps)

18. Tomas Francis (31 Caps)

19. Josh Turnbull (8 Caps)

20. Aaron Wainwright (*Uncapped)

21. Aled Davies (9 Caps)

22. Gareth Anscombe (16 Caps)

23. Owen Watkin (5 Caps)