Wales prepare for Argentina clash
Wales lock Adam Beard is looking to recreate a winning feeling as the team prepares to face Argentina in the Nations Championship this Saturday. The match will take place at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario in San Juan, a venue where Beard previously triumphed eight years ago, starting in Wales’ 23-10 victory against the Pumas. Several players from that 2018 squad, including wing Josh Adams and prop Dillon Lewis, are part of the current team. Aaron Wainwright made his Test debut as a replacement in that game, while hooker Ryan Elias, who is set to earn his 50th cap this weekend, was also on the bench. Scrum-half Tomos Williams was an unused replacement in the 2018 fixture.
Beard reflected on the passage of time, noting, “It’s great to be back here eight years after the last time and how quick that time has gone, it’s crazy.” He acknowledged Argentina as a proud nation with a strong rugby side and expressed hope for a positive result this weekend, despite changes to the squad since their last visit. The stadium, with a capacity of just over 25,000, is known for its passionate crowds. Beard stated that such hostile environments are precisely what rugby players desire to experience.
Wales head coach Steve Tandy has announced three changes to the squad that secured a victory against Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium. Ellis Mee will start on the wing, replacing Louis Rees-Zammit, who moves to the bench. James Botham comes in at blindside flanker, and Sam Costelow will start at fly-half. Elias is among the replacements and could reach his 50th cap milestone, while Kane James is also on the bench, aiming for his senior international debut.
Beard’s journey and team selections
Beard, who will earn his 67th cap on Saturday, has worked to maintain his position in the Wales squad over the past year. He faced a challenging performance against France, which included a costly mistake leading to a French try. Following this, Beard was moved to the replacements bench, with Ben Carter and Dafydd Jenkins forming the second-row partnership for the remainder of the tournament.
Beard described the start of the Six Nations as difficult for him personally, particularly the France match. He acknowledged that the performance was not up to his standards and involved mistakes he was not proud of. He used the time to reflect and adapted to a different role coming off the bench towards the end of the campaign. With Exeter captain Dafydd Jenkins sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Beard returned to the starting lineup against Fiji, where he felt he delivered a strong performance.
Tandy, who previously coached Beard at the Ospreys, commended the lock’s response to adversity. He noted that Beard’s performance against Fiji was one of his best for the team and highlighted his positive attitude and drive to regain his place. Beard recently completed his first season with French club Montpellier, which included a Challenge Cup win and reaching the Top 14 final. He described the move to France as a rewarding challenge, despite the physical demands of the league.
Tandy explained his selection decisions, stating that the changes offer a good opportunity for the incoming players and provide an exciting challenge. He emphasized the importance of building on the previous week’s performance against Fiji. The coach also praised Elias’s resilience and leadership, calling his potential 50th cap an “unbelievable achievement.” Regarding Kane James, Tandy highlighted his energy and fearlessness, noting that he has integrated well into the team environment. The Wales squad for the match against Argentina includes Blair Murray, Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams, Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake (captain), Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Adam Beard, James Botham, Jac Morgan, and Aaron Wainwright. The replacements are Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Ben Warren, Teddy Williams, Kane James, Kieran Hardy, Max Llewellyn, and Louis Rees-Zammit.
Argentina’s lineup features S Carreras, Delguy, Cinti, Piccardo, M Carreras, Albornoz, Garcia, Wenger, Montoya (captain), Rapetti, Petti, Alemanno, Grondona, Kremer, and Oviedo. The replacements for Argentina are Ruiz, Vivas, Coria Marchetti, Molina, Matera, Benitez Cruz, Moroni, and Ignacio. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 11 July.
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Source: bbc.co.uk
