Wales vs Argentina: Jamie Roberts cut as Rob Howley wields axe after Australia thumping

Wales have made six changes from the side that lost 32-8 last weekend

Roberts is replaced by the returning Jon Davies (Getty)

Wales centre Jamie Roberts has been moved to the replacements' bench for Saturday's clash against Argentina in Cardiff.

Wales' interim head coach Rob Howley has made six changes for the Pumas encounter, bringing in wing Liam Williams, centre Jonathan Davies, scrum-half Gareth Davies, prop Tomas Francis, lock Alun Wyn Jones and flanker Sam Warburton following last weekend's 32-8 drubbing by Australia.

Despite squad captain Warburton returning, though, prop Gethin Jenkins remains as captain, while Davies and Scott Williams form an all-Scarlets midfield pairing as Davies returns from a tight hamstring and 84 times-capped Roberts drops out of the starting XV.

Changes were expected after Australia's Principality Stadium stroll - it was Wales' heaviest home defeat for 10 years - and Howley has not disappointed.

Harlequins star Roberts proved largely ineffective in Wales' defensive structure, while Scott Williams, who was a late call-up to face the Wallabies after Jonathan Davies pulled out because of a tight hamstring, scored a try and impressed in most areas.

British and Irish Lions Test player Roberts, 30, has been a dominant figure in Wales teams of the eight-year Warren Gatland coaching era, but he now misses out as Howley changes his midfield options.

Elsewhere in the backs, Liam Williams returns from injury to replace Cardiff Blues wing Alex Cuthbert, while scrum-half Gareth Davies takes over from Rhys Webb, who suffered an ankle injury against Australia.

Up-front, Francis is preferred to Scarlets tighthead Samson Lee, with Jones returning to second-row duties after being unavailable for the Wallabies encounter following the death of his father.

And Warburton teams up in the back-row alongside Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty, but he starts at blindside flanker instead of Dan Lydiate, rather than in the more familiar number seven shirt that Tipuric keeps on this occasion.


 Scott Williams crossed for Wales' only score against Australia 
 (Getty)

Jenkins will become the most capped front-row forward in rugby history, making his 133rd appearance for Wales and the Lions, with fly-half Dan Biggar winning his 50th cap.

Reflecting on his selection, Howley said: "We've made a number of changes, some of which are selection-based and injury-enforced, but we are also able to select from a number of players returning from injury.

"In the back-line, Liam (Williams) and Jon (Davies) are both back and available and come into the side. We were pleased with Leigh's (Halfpenny's) performance at full-back last week and we feel this is the best back-three combination for this game.

"Jon has recovered from his tight hamstring and will link up with Scott in midfield, and it's a blow to lose Rhys (Webb), but Gareth (Davies) is an excellent scrum-half, as he has shown on many occasions. He will see it as a great opportunity.

"We've made a number of changes in the pack. Tomas Francis starts at tighthead, and it's great to welcome Alun Wyn Jones back into the side after what has been a really tough few weeks for him and his family.

Rhys Webb was stretched off on oxygen for Wales (Getty)

"Sam (Warburton) came through the match for the Blues well last weekend and comes into the side at blindside.

"With Sam returning, we have spoken to him and we feel it's best for him to focus purely on his performance and role on Saturday, leaving the captaincy with Gethin.

"In terms of achievements, it’s great to see Dan win his 50th cap, and also it's a huge honour for Gethin as he becomes the world's most-capped front-row forward."

Lee joins Roberts on the bench, where there is also a place for Cardiff Blues' Gareth Anscombe, but Ospreys prospect Sam Davies misses out after making his Test debut as a substitute five days ago.

Wales team to face Argentina:

L Halfpenny (Toulon); G North (Northampton), J Davies (Scarlets), S Williams (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Scarlets); D Biggar (Ospreys), G Davies (Scarlets); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, capt), K Owens (Scarlets), T Francis (Exeter), L Charteris (Bath), A W Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), J Tipuric (Ospreys), R Moriarty (Gloucester).

Replacements: S Baldwin (Ospreys), N Smith (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), C Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons), J King (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), J Roberts (Harlequins).

PA.