Wales will launch their autumn international campaign this Sunday, hosting Argentina at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. The fixture marks the first Test under new head coach Steve Tandy, with further November encounters scheduled against Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa on the following three Saturdays.
Kick-off time
The match will kick off at 15:10 GMT on Sunday, 9 November.
How to follow the action
You can watch the game live on S4C or TNT Sport alternatively you can listen via BBC sounds
Team news and Rees-Zammit’s return
Wales and Argentina are set to name their squads on Friday. Wing Louis Rees-Zammit could make his first appearance for Wales in two years following a brief stint in American football.
Rees-Zammit spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars but did not feature in a competitive NFL match before returning to the UK to sign with Bristol Bears in August. Despite a toe injury sustained playing for Bristol earlier this month, the 24-year-old is included in Tandy’s squad.
Rees-Zammit trained away from the main group at an open session last week but remains hopeful of being fit for Sunday’s clash. He said:
“My foot is feeling really good. I have just been running the past couple of days and trying to get it ready for next week but it is looking positive.”
Match officials
New Zealand referee Ben O’Keefe will take charge in Cardiff, assisted by England’s Karl Dickson and Anthony Woodthorpe. South African Quinton Immelman will serve as television match official (TMO), with Frenchman Eric Gauzins overseeing the foul play review process (FPRO).
Form guide
Argentina are ranked sixth in the world, while Wales sit 12th. Despite finishing last in the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship behind South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, Felipe Contepomi’s side impressed, claiming two victories—including an away win in Australia and their first-ever home victory over New Zealand—and narrowly losing to the Springboks in October.
An Argentina XV lost to Munster last weekend, but this is unlikely to impact their Test performance. The Pumas arrive in Cardiff battle-hardened, whereas Wales, who have not played since July, will be looking to build on their historic victory over Japan in Kobe, which ended an 18-match losing streak. However, Wales have lost their past nine home Tests in Cardiff and are adjusting to Tandy’s leadership.
Past meetings
The two nations first met in 1968 during a Welsh tour of South America, although only Argentina awarded full caps. Wales claimed victory in their first 1991 World Cup meeting in Cardiff, winning 16-7.
In total, the sides have contested 22 full internationals: Wales have won 14, Argentina seven, with one draw in 2021. Their most recent encounter came in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final, where Argentina triumphed 29-17 in Marseille.
