Wales team to play Argentina: Louis Rees-Zammit Benched

With 7,000 miles and 17 hours of travel ahead, head coach Steve Tandy will likely make several changes for the clash against Argentina at Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario.

The gruelling travel schedule is set to bring a series of logistical challenges for Tandy’s side, with the head coach admitting that the squad may only get one full training session together in Argentina.

Los Pumas may not have got their Nations Championship campaign off to a winning start against Scotland, but Tandy’s side will undoubtedly remember the heavy 52-28 loss suffered in the Welsh capital last November.

There was a lot to like about Murray’s last two appearances for Wales; he needed to make an impression after being handed back the 15 jersey following the end of Louis Rees-Zammit’s experiment there.

Wasn’t tested as much against Fiji, but a moment of brilliance was the catalyst for Rhys Carré’s score and has earned him his place against Los Pumas.

As Murray wasn’t tested as much in the air, watching Argentina’s 47-38 defeat to Scotland made the aerial competition a takeaway, and it does feel like Mee is better suited to compete there.

He came on for Rees-Zammit in the second half, as the Bristol Bears player didn’t get involved as much as he would have wanted to, and after suffering from a niggle earlier in the Test week, it may be wise for the 25-year-old to be rested.

What an opportunity for Mee on Saturday if he’s selected.

Tandy will likely not change his centre partnership, and why not? Alongside Joe Hawkins, James has been flourishing in both attack and defence.

He had a quieter start to his summer campaign against the Barbarians, but last weekend was one of his better performances in a Welsh jersey.

The sheer size of the outside-centre will also be incredibly beneficial for Wales as they look to get over the gain line.

Throughout this period of resurgence from Wales in recent Tests, the 24-year-old has been thriving. Against Fiji, he was one of Wales’ top performers and had a decent cameo when in defence.

He seems to be growing into the second playmaker and decision-maker role for Wales, and this has already been on show this summer. Hawkins has become undroppable.

What a performance the 31-year-old had last Saturday. The best in a Welsh shirt since the 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa?

He needed a big summer, and he made a brilliant statement at the Cardiff City Stadium. Wales will need to start quick against Argentina, putting the hosts on their back foot as quickly as possible, they need to take their chances.

One player who will definitely do so is Adams.

Before the Fiji encounter, there was a sense that Ospreys’ Dan Edwards was Wales’ long-term successor for the 10 jersey, but after being targeted by the Fijian centre partnership of Josua Tuisova and Semi Radradra, there was no wonder he didn’t reach the heights expected of a Wales outside-half.

Wales will need quick thinkers in San Juan on Saturday, and Costelow should be better suited, particularly given his display against Scotland in the Six Nations and his kicking abilities.

It’ll be a bold move for Tandy to switch, but after last weekend, the Scarlets player should be given the opportunity from the off.

Williams, albeit didn’t have the best of Six Nations campaigns, the Saracens-bound scrum-half made his international return, and when Wales play well, it’s sometimes due to the 31-year-old's expertise.

He worked tremendously in his side’s attack against Fiji, made some timely kicks in behind, and the speed of the ball was also impressive. He will definitely keep the Argentinians on their toes, particularly around the breakdown area.

If he sees an opening, Williams is another player who won’t be thinking twice about his next move.

The 28-year-old contributed well to Wales’ victory on Saturday, scoring a rare close-range try after a brilliant Six Nations in which he scored three times.

Wales’ scrum was vastly improved after the uncapped fixture against the Baa-Baas, that was done to the loose-heads doing, and he needs to be firing against a big Argentinian pack.

You’d expect him to empty the tank before Nicky Smith is introduced off the bench.

What a leader Lake is turning into, following Tandy and sticking with the 27-year-old despite Jac Morgan's return. His arrows against Fiji were outstanding; his side scored three times from catch-and-drives, and defensively he was solid.

Frustratingly for the Gloucester-bound player, none of them fell to him. Despite that, Wales will need more of the same this weekend from a player who’s starting to find consistency on the international stage

Alongside his counterparts in the front row, Lewis caused Fiji considerable trouble in scrums. It was a better performance than the one prior in south-west London, but it still needs improvement.

Seems like the 30-year-old who’s played in Argentina before is being given the same plan as Carré: empty the tank before being replaced early in the second half. He needs to step up against Los Pumas; otherwise, Ben Warren may be in line for a first international start.

Carter quietly goes about his business in a way that doesn’t get him the attention and recognition that a player of his calibre deserves.

He’s been incredibly beneficial to this mini-revival that Wales has undergone in recent memory and will likely continue in this impressive form all summer.

Whether it’s attack or defence, he gives it everything and is leading well in the engine room in the absence of Dafydd Jenkins.

If it wasn’t for Exeter’s Jenkins’ absence this summer, you would have found it hard to include the Montpellier player in the starting XV.

Despite some indiscipline, his strength in defence is a testament to his ability to bounce back after falling down the pecking order, and his work rate around the breakdown will also need to be there come Saturday.

What a cameo off the bench from Botham, who, apart from the mistake against Scotland in the Six Nations, has been like Carter, someone who just gets on with the job in hand.

His Cardiff teammate Alex Mann is a quality operator, but the 28-year-old showed his worth from the bench, which should warrant a start against Argentina.

Tandy should hold Mann back for a likely fiery reunion with Eben Etzebeth in Durban seven days later.

Need there be more to say here? Albeit there’s a great deal of travel to San Juan, you just know if Morgan is fit, then he plays.

Scored twice against Fiji to bring himself to half a century of points in a Welsh jersey, and everything else he did benefited his side.

The 26-year-old is undroppable, Argentina should be aware of his strengths, and good luck stopping him.

Wainwright does exactly what it says on the tin. Whether that be getting his side over the gain line, by running some hard, fast lines or denying the opposition the chance to gain metres when defending.

He returns to the scene of his first international cap in San Juan, now as one of Wales’ most experienced players and a nailed-on starter.