Wales change five as Gatland continues experiments

Wales coach Warren Gatland continues his pre-RugbyWorld Cup experimenting in Argentina on Saturday by making five changes to the team that pulled off a shock first Test victory.

There are two backline alterations for the second and final Test in northeastern city Santa Fe with one enforced as inside centre Owen Watkin steps in for injured Hadleigh Parkes.

At scrum-half, Aled Davies takes over from Gareth Davies as the Welsh Dragons seek another success after winning 23-10 in San Juan last Saturday.

In the pack, hooker Ryan Elias comes in for Elliot Dee and tighthead prop Tomas Francis takes the place of Dillon Lewis.

The third change among the forwards is in the back row where Ellis Jenkins takes over from Seb Davies.  

Lock Cory Hill continues as captain after making a winning debut in the role last weekend when dogged defending and clinical finishing laid the victory foundations.

While coaches are often reluctant to change a winning team, Gatland is using the three-Test tour, which began with a win over South Africa in Washington, to experiment. 

“We have made five changes to the starting line-up as we want to see a few players from the start and give those players a bit more opportunity,” he explained.

“Looking at the objectives of this tour, we are right on track, we have won two games from two.

“More importantly, we have exposed players to Test match rugby and given more opportunities and that was the aim.

“We want to go home with three victories from three Tests, but we know the challenge that we are up against this weekend and we also are looking at the bigger picture.

“We might have picked a slightly different team if it was just about results, but it is about more than that.

“It is about building for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and we are on the right track.

“Both Cory (Hill) and Ellis (Jenkins) have been great on tour as co-captains.

“This week, with them both in the side, we have just gone for a bit of continuity with Cory doing the job as he did last weekend.

Team (15-1)

Hallam Amos; Josh Adams, Scott Williams, Owen Watkins, George North; Rhys Patchell, Aled Davies; Ross Moriarty, James Davies, Ellis Jenkins; Cory Hill (capt), Adam Beard; Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Rob Evans

Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Dillon Lewis, Bradley Davies, Josh Turnbull, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Tom Prydie

Coach: Warren Gatland (NZL)

– Agence France-Presse