Wales head coach Steve Tandy has made three changes to the side that beat Fiji last weekend, as they prepare to take on Argentina in San Juan.

Louis Rees-Zammit drops to the bench in favour of Ellis Mee on the right wing, while Alex Mann and Dan Edwards have been replaced by James Botham and Sam Costelow.

Botham and Costelow impressed off the bench in the 24-39 defeat of Fiji on Saturday, with Mann and Edwards not included in the 23.

Botham is named at blindside flanker with Jac Morgan at openside flanker. Aaron Wainwright, who made his debut for Wales eight years ago in San Juan, completes the back row at number eight.

Costelow is selected at fly half with Tomos Williams at scrum half, and the usual midfield of Joe Hawkins and Eddie James continuing.

Mee starts on the wing alongside Josh Adams, with Blair Murray again at fullback.

Among the replacements there are two milestones for Wales on Saturday: Ryan Elias is due to win his 50th cap for Wales, while Kane James could make his senior international debut.

Teddy Williams and Max Llewellyn are also selected in the match day 23 following absences through injury and are in line to make their first appearances this Nations Championship.

The front row is unchanged, as the experienced trio of Rhys Carre, captain Dewi Lake, and Dillon Lewis pack down, with Nicky Smith, Ben Warren, and Elias the replacements.

Kieran Hardy is the replacement scrum half, with no fly-half on the bench. Hawkins or even Murray will likely cover the 10 position if Costelow were to pick up an injury.

“There are three changes this week,” Tandy said.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for those boys coming in. An exciting challenge. This weekend we’re just looking forward to building on last week’s performance.

“It’s going to be an amazing opportunity for us playing away from home, which is always exciting. I think it’s a really good test for us to see where we’re at. We know that Argentina are a really passionate and skilful team.”

“Ryan’s story is an incredible one,” Tandy said of Elias’ 50th cap.

“He’s an outstanding leader, an outstanding person more importantly but then I think he’s really added value to our group. It’s an unbelievable achievement to get 50 caps. It’s an honour that’s really deserved.”

“Kane is an exciting player,” Tandy added on the potential debutant.

“He’s so powerful and quick. The way he’s come into the environment and just jumped straight in: he hasn’t been tentative in anything he does.

“He creates a big energy in how he goes about his work; he’s super diligent around everything, taking on the detail. I’m really excited to see Kane get his first cap on the weekend.”

Team News

Argentina

Santiago Carreras; Bautista Delguy, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Mateo Carreras; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia; Boris Wenger, Julian Montoya (capt), Tomas Rapetti; Guido Petti, Matias Alemanno, Santiago Grondona, Marcos Kremer, Joaquin Oviedo.

Replacements

Ignacio Ruiz, Mayco Vivas, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina, Pablo Matera, Simon Benitez Cruz, Matias Moroni, Ignacio Mendy.

Wales

Blair Murray; Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (capt), Dillon Lewis; Ben Carter, Adam Beard; James Botham, Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright.

Replacements

Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Ben Warren, Teddy Williams, Kane James, Kieran Hardy, Max Llewellyn, Louis Rees-Zammit.

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