Wales beat Japan in July to end a record 18-match losing run and will be looking to kick on in the start of the Tandy era by starting their Autumn campaign on a high. Several first-choice starters return to face a powerful Pumas side ranked sixth in the World.
Morgan starts at openside flanker, whilst Tomos Williams’ inclusion at scrum-half means the duo are set to make their first appearances for Wales since the Guinness Six Nations, having been selected for the British & Irish Lions this summer.
It is all change in the second row with Exeter Chiefs Dafydd Jenkins first start since the spring, and former Ospreys lock Adam Beard comes in, having not featured for Wales in the calendar year due to injury.
Alex Mann is selected at blind-side flanker, and Aaron Wainwright completes the back row at number eight.
In the front row, Rhys Carré is named at loosehead, making his first appearance for Wales since 2023, with hooker Dewi Lake and tighthead Keiron Assiratti joining the Saracens prop.
Ospreys Dan Edwards is named at fly-half for his second start for Wales. Creative duties are then placed in the hands of versatile Ben Thomas, who will rekindle his partnership with Max Llewellyn in midfield after the Gloucester centre had missed the summer fixtures through injury.
Speedsters Josh Adams and Tom Rogers are selected on the wings, with full-back Blair Murray rounding out the starting XV.
Among the Wales replacements, former Ospreys back row Olly Cracknell is in line to make his Wales debut off the bench, whilst there is a welcome return for Louis Rees-Zammit, who is in line to make his first outing in a Wales jersey since the Rugby World Cup 2023 29-17 quarter-final defeat against Argentina in Marseille, having won his battle to overcome a toe injury.
Liam Belcher, who won his first two caps for Wales this summer in Japan, provides cover at hooker. Nicky Smith and Archie Griffin are the covering props. Freddie Thomas is the remaining forward replacement.
Kieran Hardy and Jarrod Evans provide half-back cover.
The Argentina game is the first of four November internationals, with Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa to follow.
Speaking on his selection, Wales head coach Steve Tandy said:
“It’s a real privilege to announce my first match day 23 for Wales.
“I just want to see that 23 really go out there and express themselves on Sunday and enjoy every moment of representing the country in such a unique and special jersey.”
Wales XV to face Argentina:
Murray, Rogers, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Adams, Edwards, T Williams
Carre, Lake, Assiratti, D Jenkins, Beard, Mann, Morgan (captain), Wainwright.
Replacements:
Belcher, Smith, Griffin, F Thomas, Cracknell, Hardy, J Evans, Rees-Zammit.
[Lead image: Welsh Rugby Union]
