Powys: Dan Lydiate earns Wales place for Argentina clash in Cardiff

Ospreys stars Dan Lydiate, from Abbey-cwm-hir, and Rhodri Jones of Machynlleth have both been included in the Welsh squad as coach Wayne Pivac bids to bounce back from last week's thrashing at the hands of New Zealand.

Lydiate is selected at blindside flanker and makes his first appearance in this Autumn Nations Series having started from that position for all three matches in the July Test series against South Africa.

Loose-head prop Rhodri Jones is named among the replacements and in line to win his first cap since the summer of 2021.

Pivac said: "This is probably the last opportunity to give guys starts and learn as much as we can. Both Dillon Lewis and Dan Lydiate have trained well.

Rhodri Jones in action.

"There are some changes among the replacements. There are some niggles that players pick up in games and in training, so some guys have been left out to get themselves 100% right for next week.

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"Some boys we want to have a look at across the competition so in the case of Nicky Smith and Rhodri Jones that’s certainly what we wanted to do the first couple of games.

Pivac warned the Pumas would arrive in Cardiff with confidence soaring after their victory over England last week.

He said: "We saw last week what Argentina are capable of. They’re a very big team, very strong up front. They have expanded their attacking game and they took an excellent try against England from the set play. They’ve knocked over some big scalps in the last 18 months, New Zealand being one of them.

"They are going to be a big challenge but one we’re looking forward to. After last week’s performance we need a reaction from our team."