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Wales drop Rees-Zammit to bench as Costelow starts

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Image caption,

Louis Rees-Zammit and Sam Costelow were both part of the Wales squad in the 2023 World Cup

By Gareth Griffiths

BBC Sport Wales

Published 1 hour ago

Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit has dropped to the bench for the Nations Championship match against Argentina on Saturday with Sam Costelow starting at fly-half.

Ellis Mee replaces Rees-Zammit, while Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards is not included in the 23-man squad after starting the 39-24 victory against Fiji.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has made three changes, with flanker James Botham replacing Cardiff team-mate Alex Mann.

"It's a great opportunity for those boys coming in and an exciting challenge," said Tandy.

Exeter back-row forward Kane James is set make his Test debut after being named as a replacement, while Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias will win his 50th cap if he comes off the bench.

Cardiff lock Teddy Williams and Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn have also been named on the bench.

Backline changes for Pumas Test

Rees-Zammit, who returned to the wing after starting all Six Nations matches at full-back, swaps roles with Mee, with Wales hoping the Bristol back can have a major impact as a replacement.

After starting Tandy's first seven games in charge, fly-half Edwards was dropped for the Six Nations match against Scotland in Cardiff in February.

Costelow impressed before the Scarlets fly-half picked up an injury, allowing Edwards to return for the final two matches against Ireland and Italy.

He responded with an impressive 16-point performance against the Azzurri as Wales ended a three-year Six Nations losing streak.

However, Edwards endured a difficult afternoon against Fiji last Saturday, while Costelow proved an assured second-half presence as a replacement.

With Edwards dropping out of the squad, centre Joe Hawkins will provide fly-half cover.

Scarlets provide five of the seven Wales backs selected, with Mee and Costelow joined by centre pair Hawkins and Eddie James along with full-back Blair Murray.

Nations Championship: Argentina v Wales

Saturday, 11 July (20:10 BST)

Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan

Listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app which also has live text commentary. Watch live on S4C.

Potential milestones for James and Elias

James, who played for England Under-20s but was born in Pembrokeshire and raised in Cardiff, could win his first cap after a breakthrough season with Prem runners-up Exeter.

The 21-year-old was named in the Wales squad for the first time this summer and is set to be given his opportunity.

"Kane is an exciting player," said Tandy.

"He's so powerful and quick. The way he's come into the environment and just jumped straight in shows 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. So I'm excited to see Kane get his first cap on the weekend."

Elias, 31, has forced his way back into the Wales reckoning and his 50th cap would be a reward for his resilience and fine form during the past 12 months.

"Ryan's story is an incredible one," said Tandy.

"He's an outstanding leader and person and he's really added value to our group.

"It's an unbelievable achievement to get 50 caps and an honour that's deserved."

James hopes Wales scrum can help tame Pumas

*   Published 17 hours ago

Red cards, mass brawls and magic memories

*   Published 2 days ago

Wainwright travels to first cap scene as Pumas wait

*   Published 4 days ago

Tackling Pumas on Argentina soil

Wales have won successive test matches for the first time since the 2023 World Cup but know Argentina, who will be smarting from a 47-38 home defeat against Scotland, will offer a different proposition.

Argentina inflicted a record 52-28 defeat on Wales in Tandy's first game in charge in November 2025.

"This weekend we're just looking forward to building on last week's performance," said Tandy.

"It's going to be an amazing opportunity for us playing away from home, which is always exciting.

"It's a good test for us to see where we're at. We know that Argentina are a passionate and skilful team."

Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi has made five starting changes with props Boris Wenger and Tomas Rapetti, flanker Marcos Kremer, centre Justo Piccardo and wing Bautista Delguy replacing Mayco Vivas, Pedro Delgado, Pablo Matera, Faustino Sanchez Valarolo and Rodrigo Isgro.

Lock Guido Petti will become the sixth Argentina player to win 100 caps.

How they line up

**Argentina:**S Carreras; Delguy, Cinti, Piccardo, M Carreras; Albornoz, Garcia; Wenger, Montoya (capt), Rapetti, Petti, Alemanno, Grondona, Kremer, Oviedo.

Replacements: Ruiz, Vivas, Coria Marchetti, Molina, Matera, Benitez Cruz, Moroni, Ignacio.

**Wales:**Murray; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Costelow, Tomos Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Lewis, Carter, Beard, Botham, Morgan, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, N Smith, Warren, Teddy Williams, James, Hardy, Llewellyn, Rees-Zammit.

More on this story

What Argentina-bound Wales learned from Fiji win

*   Published 3 days ago

Wales prepare to take flight to Argentina

*   Published 4 days ago

Adams hopes Wales mini-revival continues on tour

*   Published 3 days ago

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Wales drop Rees-Zammit to bench as Costelow starts

Wales drop Rees-Zammit to bench as Costelow starts

Backline changes for Pumas Test

Potential milestones for James and Elias

Tackling Pumas on Argentina soil

How they line up

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