Wales drop Rees-Zammit to bench as Costelow starts

ByGareth Griffiths

BBC Sport Wales

Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit has dropped to the bench for the Nations Championship match against Argentina on Saturday with Sam Costelow starting at fly-half.

Ellis Mee replaces Rees-Zammit, while Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards is not included in the 23-man squad after starting the 39-24 victory against Fiji.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has made three changes, with flanker James Botham replacing his Cardiff team-mate Alex Mann.

"It's a great opportunity for those boys coming in and an exciting challenge," said Tandy.

Exeter back-row forward Kane James is set make his Test debut after being named as a replacement, while Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias will win his 50th cap if he comes off the bench for captain Dewi Lake.

Cardiff lock Teddy Williams and Gloucester centre Max Llewellyn have also been named on the bench.

Rees-Zammit, who returned to the wing after starting all Six Nations matches at full-back, swaps roles with Mee - Wales hoping the Bristol back can have a major impact as a replacement.

After starting Tandy's first seven games in charge, fly-half Edwards was dropped for the Six Nations match against Scotland in Cardiff in February.

Costelow impressed before the Scarlets fly-half picked up an injury allowing Edwards to return for the final two matches against Ireland and Italy, where he responded with an impressive 16-point performance against the Azzurri as Wales ended a three-year Six Nations losing streak.

However, Edwards endured a difficult afternoon against Fiji last Saturday, while Costelow proved an assured second-half presence as a replacement.

With Edwards dropping out of the squad, centre Joe Hawkins will provide the fly-half cover.

Scarlets have five of the seven Wales backs selected with Mee and Costelow joined by centre pair Hawkins and Eddie James along with full-back Blair Murray.

Saturday, 11 July (20:10 BST)

Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan

James, who played for England Under-20s but was born in Pembrokeshire and raised in Cardiff, could win his first cap after a breakthrough season with Prem runners-up Exeter.

The 21-year-old was named in the Wales summer squad and is set to be given his opportunity.

"Kane is an exciting player," said Tandy.

"He's so powerful and quick. The way he's come into the environment and just jumped straight in shows he hasn't been tentative in anything he does.

"He creates a big energy in how he goes about his work, he's super diligent around everything, taking on the detail.

"So I'm excited to see Kane get his first cap on the weekend."

Elias, 31, has forced his way back into the Wales reckoning and his 50th cap would be a reward for his resilience and fine form during the past 12 months.

"Ryan's story is an incredible one," said Tandy.

"He's an outstanding leader and person and he's really added value to our group.

"It's an unbelievable achievement to get 50 caps and an honour that's deserved."

Wales have won successive test matches for the first time since the 2023 World Cup but know Argentina, who will be smarting from a 47-38 home defeat against Scotland, will offer a different proposition.

Argentina inflicted a record 52-28 defeat on Wales in Tandy's first game in charge in November 2025.

"This weekend we're just looking forward to building on last week's performance," said Tandy.

"It's going to be an amazing opportunity for us playing away from home, which is always exciting.

"It's a good test for us to see where we're at. We know that Argentina are a passionate and skilful team."

Argentina: TBC

Replacements: TBC

Wales: Murray; Mee, James, Hawkins, Adams; Costelow, Tomos Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Lewis, Carter, Beard, Botham, Morgan, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, N Smith, Warren, Teddy Williams, James, Hardy, Llewellyn, Rees-Zammit.