OSPREYS PROP AARON Jarvis will make his international debut against Argentina this weekend after Rob Howley today named him in the first starting line-up of the November series.
Wales’ first-choice in the number three jersey, Adam Jones, remains sidelined with a knee injury, allowing the 26-year-old come in against a Pumas side who always promise a stern test at the set-piece.
Injury has also forced the former scrum-half’s hand in the back row of the pack where Josh Turnbull will win his second cap in the absence of Dan Lydiate.
Centre Jonathan Davies has failed to recover from a groin problem picked up in Scarlets’ Heineken Cup hammering away to Clermont, his place going to club team-mate Scott Williams.
“One or two injuries have forced our hands in certain areas in terms of selection, but the fact that we are still able to field a side packed with Grand Slam experience shows that we have been able to develop some depth in recent years,” Wales interim head coach Howley said on WRU.co.uk.
“There are obvious opportunities for the likes of Aaron (at prop), Tavis at scrum-half and Josh in the back row, to pull on the jersey against Argentina and try to make it their own. We all know how important a good start against the Pumas will be to our November series, they arrive battle-hardened after a tough Rugby Championship campaign.”
After a problematic few months in France, first choice scrum half Mike Phillips has been left on the bench in favour yet another Llanelli Scarlet; Tavis Knoyle.
The 22-year-old will line out alongside his regular partner Rhys Priestland who is deputised by James Hook as Ospreys number 10 Dan Biggar is once again omitted from the matchday squad.
Wales XV v Argentina: L Halfpenny; A Cuthbert, S Williams, J Roberts, G North; R Priestland, T Knoyle; G Jenkins, M Rees, A Jarvis, AW Jones, I Evans, J Turnbull, S Warburton (Capt), T Faletau.Replacements: R Hibbard, R Bevington, P James, R McCusker, J Tipuric, M Phillips, J Hook, L Williams.
