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Steve Tandy has named his team to play Argentina in San Juan this Saturday
Steve Tandy has made three changes to his Wales team to face Argentina this Saturday, with Kane James in line for a Wales debut off the bench.
Following last week’s win over Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium to open their Nations Championship campaign, the Wales head coach has kept faith with the vast majority of his side.
There are just three changes to the starting XV.
Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow starts in the 10 jersey, replacing Dan Edwards. The Ospreys playmaker does not feature in the matchday 23.
Edwards has started all but one of Tandy’s 10 Test matches in charge of Wales to date, with Costelow wearing the 10 jersey against Scotland in this year’s Six Nations.
The other change in the backline sees Ellis Mee promoted to the starting side, with wing Louis Rees-Zammit dropping to the bench.
In the pack, James Botham starts in the back-row – with Alex Mann not involved for the first time under Steve Tandy after 10 straight Test starts.
“There are three changes this week,” said Tandy after naming his team. “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.”
Exeter Chiefs back-row James is in line to make his Test debut off the bench in San Juan.
The 21-year-old, who previously turned out for England U20s, was called up by Wales for the first time this summer after a breakthrough season with Exeter.
“Kane is an exciting player,” added Tandy. “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.”
Elsewhere on the bench, hooker Ryan Elias is in line for his 50th cap, while Max Llewellyn and Teddy Williams are both in line for their first Test appearances since last year.
Llewellyn last featured in the 2025 Six Nations, while Williams – who started against the Barbarians last month – last played in a Test match on last summer’s tour of Japan.
“Ryan’s story is an incredible one,” said Tandy about Dee. “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.”
Following last week’s win over Fiji, Wales are edging closer to returning to the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time since 2024.
However, their fixtures get increasingly harder in the coming weeks.
Argentina put 52 points on Wales in Tandy’s first match in charge back in November, before South Africa – Wales’ final opponents in the Nations Championship this summer – won 73-0 in Cardiff that same month.
Wales: Blair Murray; Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (c), 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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