GATLAND’S LIKELY TEAM TO TACKLE THE PUMAS
AFTER a victorious, if somewhat unappetising, first course, Wales head off to the main event of their summer tour and a two Test series with Argentina on home soil.
Following their 22-20 triumph over a shadow South Africa XV in Washington DC on Saturday night, what are the changes Warren Gatland will make to his international line-up for a sterner examination against the Pumas. Here’s our take...
15: HALLAM AMOS
MADE his first start for Wales at full-back against the Springboks and Gatland admitted before they crossed the Atlantic, the Dragons star was very much in his thoughts for the No.15 jersey.
Dummied his way over for the opening try and though he struggled at times in the aerial battle and gave an interception touchdown away, the 23-year-old is set to keep his spot against the Pumas.
14: JOSH ADAMS
STEFF Evans is out of the remainder of the trip with a knee injury and Josh Adams has been called up.
The Worcester man was originally left out of the party when Premiership Rugby withdrew him from the opening game against South Africa as the match fell outside the official World Rugby window.
But with Wales very much down to the bare bones out wide, Adams will battle it out with Tom Prydie for the right-wing starting berth against the Pumas and is likely to get the nod.
13: SCOTT WILLIAMS
WITH Owen Watkin finding it a bit of a hard slog against the ‘Boks and throwing a yellow card into the mix, Ospreys-bound Williams is expected to be back in the frame against the Pumas.
12: HADLEIGH PARKES
ANOTHER Scarlet given the week off on the back of a stamina-sapping end to the campaign for his region.
But his ability to do the basics well will be key in South America with Wales expected to be up against it with some big-name players missing. Made in immediate impression off the bench in Washington on Saturday night.
11: GEORGE NORTH
SET to be pressed back into wing work after his fourth outing at centre lasted until Steff Evans hobbled off with a knee injury.
Didn’t have the sort of impact on centre stage perhaps the Welsh coaching team were hoping for and with more pressing matters ahead it back to the bread and butter day job out wide.
10: RHYS PATCHELL
WITH Gareth Anscombe blowing hot and cold against South Africa, it could well be another chance for Scarlets No.10 Patchell to exorcise the ghosts of a disappointing display against England in the Six Nations.
It also could free up Anscombe to slot in at No.15 if Gatland feels Amos would be better suited out on the wing against the Pumas.
9: GARETH DAVIES
HEADED out of Wales as the incumbent No.9 but will now have the hot breath of Tomos Williams on the back of his neck following an eye-catching display from the Cardiff Blues rookie on the weekend.
1: ROB EVANS
NICKY Smith acquitted himself well enough in the loose against South Africa, but being part of a Welsh scrum that had its problems, albeit on the tighthead side, will see a return of the Scarlets man.
There will be more demanding setpiece problems posed by the Pumas the extra physicality of Evans in the loose exchanges gives him the nod.
2: RYAN ELIAS
ELLIOT Dee had a big opportunity to put down a marker with Ken Owens rested, but the Dragons hooker was part of a front-row under the cosh at the scrum. His lineout work helped offset the crosses in the scrum box and Elias came on the bag the crunch try. Elias could well form an all Scarlets front-row this time around with Dee on the bench.
3: SAMSON LEE/TOMAS FRANCIS
HOW Wales missed every hair on the heads of Lee and Francis against the ‘Boks.
If fit, Lee will start against the Pumas, but he has a lower back injury.
Tomas Francis has been called up as cover.
Dillon Lewis appeared rusty against the Springboks with the scrums a lottery in the first half. And his replacement Rhodri Jones fared even less well.
4: BRADLEY DAVIES
HIS extra ballast in the boilerhouse may well get the Ospreys lock the nod for the Pumas opener.
Gatland could be tempted in giving Seb Davies a run-out in his more accustomed second-row berth, but the physical nature of a Argentine side going back to their forward-powered roots, could well give Davies the jersey.
5: CORY HILL
THE tour co-captain led from the front against South Africa tackling anything that moved and preventing a Springbok try with a tremendous effort in the corner.
Rapidly becoming one of the unsung heroes of the Welsh pack.
6: JOSH TURNBULL
LAST played for Wales against England in May 2016 but with the tourists chronically light on blindside flankers, the 30-year-old could well earn a ninth cap.
The experiment of playing Seb Davies at six really didn’t work while the other option would be moving Ellis Jenkins there and bringing in James Davies.
That would lighten the tonnage in the Welsh back-row something you do at your peril against the Pumas.
7: JAMES DAVIES
DESPITE an odd blip here and there, match-day skipper Ellis Jenkins dug Wales out of a hole on more than one occasion in Washington.
But it’s been suggested players won’t start all three Tests this summer and Davies’ week off following the Scarlets’ PRO14 final defeat could see a call-up with Jenkins on the bench.
8: ROSS MORIARTY
PERHAPS the Dragons-bound back-rower didn’t impose himself as much when as a raw-boned 21-yearold he made his Test debut against Ireland in the 2015 Rugby World Cup warm-up.
Off-loaded wisely during the buildup to the opening try against the ‘Boks and the lack of No.8 options could mean a heavy workload.