Wales boss Tandy hands Carré start, with Rees-Zammit on bench vs Argentina
Rees-Zammit's last Wales appearance came against Los Pumas in the 2023 World Cup
©Photo by Michael Steele - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Head coach Steve Tandy has named his first Wales team, welcoming back Louis Rees-Zammit and Rhys Carré for their first international appearances since 2023.
Bristol Bears wing Rees-Zammit has not featured for Wales since the last Rugby World Cup, following stints with NFL teams Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Saracens' Carré is set to start at loosehead prop against Argentina, marking his first cap since facing England in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.
Leicester Tigers flanker Olly Cracknell could earn his first cap if he comes off the bench.
British & Irish Lions duo Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams both start, while the back three of Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, and Josh Adams remains unchanged from Wales’ summer win against Japan.
Williams partners with Dan Edwards, who makes his second start at outside half, with Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn combining in the centre.
In the front row, Carré is joined by Dewi Lake and Keiron Assiratti, while Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard return after missing the summer tour. Alex Mann has been rewarded for his early-season form with a start at blindside flanker, alongside Dragons’ Aaron Wainwright at number eight.
Tweaking Wales’ style of play
In recent weeks, the Welsh camp has focused on creating a new team identity, with Tandy highlighting subtle changes in mindset and style that could pay dividends over the coming month.
“It’s exciting to see the boys get out and play. From a personal perspective, having my first time in the Principality wearing the three feathers and leading the team is amazing,” Tandy said. “For me, it’s about how we do it together.
"We can’t change our physical attributes, but we’ve got some big, aggressive boys. The mindset of the group is outstanding - it’s about seeing where they’ll put their bodies.
“There’s probably some tweaking, doing things in pairs rather than single. The boys know what it means to play for Wales and the physical output that requires.”
Carré in from the start
One of the key talking points is the return of Saracens loosehead Carré, who was sidelined from international duty for several years.
He starts ahead of Leicester Tigers’ Nicky Smith, following five starts and two substitute appearances in previous campaigns. Tandy praised Carré’s performances in the Gallagher Prem and his work in training.
“I think you've got to look at his performances, what he’s been doing in the club game, playing for a big club like Saracens, played a lot of minutes and been playing really well,” Tandy said.
"I’ve had lots of conversations with Rhys. He’s trained really well, as have the other two looseheads, Nicky Smith and Gareth Thomas, but starting Rhys is exciting for us and for him.
"We’re talking to him around bringing his strengths as welI. I think a lot of times we can always focus on what people can’t do, but ultimately we can see what Rhys can do and at the end of the day, he’s played really, really well for Saracens."
Wales: Murray; Rogers, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake, Assiratti, D Jenkins, Beard, Mann, Morgan (capt), Wainwright.
Replacements: Belcher, Smith, Griffin, F Thomas, Cracknell, Hardy, J Evans, Rees-Zammit.
Argentina: S Carreras; Delguy, Piccardo, Chocobares, M Carreras; Prisciantelli, Benitez Cruz; Vivas, Montoya (capt), Delgado, Petti, Kremer, Matera, JM Gonzalez, Oviedo.
Replacements: Ruiz, Gallo, Rapetti, Alemanno, Grondona, Moyano, Mallia, Isgro
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