Preview: Preview: Argentina vs. Wales – prediction, team news, list

Argentina will host Wales on the second weekend of the Nations Championship, with the two having different results in the first round.

Los Pumas suffered a heavy defeat against Scotland while Wales had a comfortable win over Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium.

Game preview

Argentina will be desperate to secure their first ever Nations Championship win after losing 47-38 to Scotland last weekend, while Los Pumas had the consolation of a bonus point for scoring four tries.

Felipe Contepomi’s team will be disappointed with the way they played against Gregor Townsend’s team, and the coach will be looking for a reaction this weekend.

Los Pumas secured victory over Wales the last time the two teams met, with a 52-28 victory in November during the autumn internationals.

It was a comprehensive victory for Argentina, and they backed it up with a win over Scotland before losing to England.

Los Pumas are currently on a two game losing streak and will be aiming to end this with a win against Wales.

The Welsh come into this game having won their last three games, one of which was a non-Test against the Barbarians.

Wales secured a comfortable 39-24 victory over Fiji with a strong second half after the teams went into half-time tied 10-10.

Steve Tandy’s side will be aiming to improve their national record against Los Pumas, having won 14 of their 23 games.

They lost their last two Tests against Argentina and haven’t won in the South American nation since June 2018, so their aim will be to get a win and end this run.

Argentina’s competitive form:

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Argentinian form:

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Welsh competition form:

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Welsh form:

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Team News

© Iconsport / PA Images / Icon Sport

Wales made three changes to the team that beat Fiji last week as Ellis Mee replaced Rees-Zammit, while Ospreys flyhalf Dan Edwards was left out of the 23-man squad.

Sam Costelow will start wearing the 10 jersey and fullback Kane James will make his Test debut after being named as his replacement.

Argentina made five changes to their team for the game, with star players Boris Wenger and Tomas Rapetti coming into the middle of the front line.

While Marcos Kremer replaces captain Pablo Matera at openside flanker, center Justo Piccardo and winger Bautista Delguy replace Faustino Sanchez Valarolo and Rodrigo Isgro.

Argentina starting the program:

15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Bautista Delguy, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Justo Piccardo, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 8 Joaquin Oviedo, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Santiago Grondona, 5 Pettinoman 2, 4 Tomas Adomas, 3 Guidos Adomas Julian Montoya (captain), 1 Boris Wenger

Replacement:

16 Ignacio Ruiz, 17 Mayco Vivas, 18 Francisco Coria Marchetti, 19 Franco Molina, 20 Pablo Matera, 21 Simon Benitez Cruz, 22 Matias Moroni, 23 Ignacio Mendy

Team B starting the match:

15 Blair Murray, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams, 9 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 James Botham, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Ben Carter, 3 Dillon R1 Lake Lewis

Replacement:

16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Kane James, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Max Llewellyn, 23 Louis Rees-Zammit

We say: Argentina 32-15 Wales

Argentina should have too much of a Wales side who have improved significantly since the last time these two teams met; however, they will not be in a position to really challenge Los Pumas.