Wales v Argentina: Cory Allen to make debut against Pumas
Wales v Argentina: Cory Allen is set to make his Red Dragon debut against the Puma at Millennium Stadium on Saturday
Cory Allen will win his first Wales cap against Argentina on Saturday as head coach Warren Gatland makes four changes to the side that lost to South Africa.
Allen, 20, has made just two Pro12 starts for Cardiff Blues but he has impressed in Heineken Cup outings, particularly the victory over Toulon, as well as for the Wales Sevens side.
He deputises for the injured Jonathan Davies at outside centre while Scarlets prop Rhodri Jones, who makes his second Wales start, comes in for Adam Jones in another enforced change at tighthead prop.
He joins Gethin Jenkins in the front row as the Blues prop wins his 100th cap for Wales, the fourth player to reach such a milestone after Stephen Jones, Martyn Williams and Gareth Thomas.
Elsewhere, Sam Warburton switches to the blindside after Dan Lydiate failed to recover from the ankle problem picked up against the Springboks, meaning Justin Tipuric comes in at openside to form the flanker partnership with his skipper, last seen when Wales clinched the Six Nations title with a 30-3 victory over England in March.
In the final change, Dan Biggar, who started all five of Wales’ Six Nations matches this year, is preferred to Rhys Priestland at fly-half and Gatland is desperate to see his side win an autumn international for the first time since 2009.
“Last weekend will stand us in good stead in terms of physicality and intensity as Saturday will be a huge battle against Argentina,” said Gatland.
“They will be looking for a repeat of last year and we will need to be more clinical to get the result we are aiming for.
“We have been working hard to ensure we convert the chances we create and encourage the players to look for and exploit opportunities and space.
“Saturday will be a huge occasion for Gethin [Jenkins] and a fantastic milestone.
“We have made a number of changes due to injury but it’s a great opportunity for players we have been very impressed with. For Cory [Allen] it will be his first taste of international rugby and for Rhodri [Jones] a chance to gain more experience.
“Justin [Tipuric] played very well off the bench last weekend and Dan’s injury gives him the chance to start the game.
“At fly-half it was always our intention to give Dan [Biggar] and Rhys [Priestland] one game each at the start of the series and it’s Dan chance this weekend.”
