Gareth Thomas, who earned his first Welsh cap against Canada at the weekend, and fellow Newcastle Emlyn man Josh Turnbull will start on the bench against Argentina on Saturday.

Former Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi pupil Thomas was a second half replacement as Wales trounced Canada 68-12 at the Principality Stadium and described the experience as one of the best days of his life.

The 26-year-old Ospreys’ loose-head prop will hope to feature again as Wayne Pivac’s men take on The Pumas, a step up in class from Canada, who were brushed aside after scoring an early try.

Turnbull, 33, also made an appearance from the bench against Canada for his 11th cap, his first outing with Wales since facing this Saturday’s opponents back in 2018.

“It feels like I’ve had my first call-up again,” said the Cardiff back rower.

“I’ve had that feeling a couple of times before, when you haven’t been involved in a campaign for a good few years, it feels like the first call-up again.

“A few people are saying you’ve had more comebacks than Lazarus.”

The former Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn pupil added: “It’s that never give up attitude, keep chipping away and eventually the rewards will come.

“It’s massive when you get the opportunity to come into the international environment. You represent your family, friends and your country. It’s a massive honour.”

Pivac has stuck with the pack that dominated Canada in Cardiff last with Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Dillon Lewis providing an experienced front-row.

Ben Carter and Will Rowlands combine in the second-row, while Ross Moriarty, James Botham and Aaron Wainwright team up in the back-row.

In the backs, Kieran Hardy comes in for Tomos Williams; Hallam Amos comes in at fullback for the injured Leigh Halfpenny, and Owen Lane makes a start on the left wing.

Pivac said: “Argentina provide the perfect opponents for us this weekend and are the exact test we want for this group of players.

“We will be tested up front and the physicality will be at a level that some of these players have not experienced before but that will answer a lot of questions for us as we build towards Rugby World Cup 2023.

“It’s great to play in Cardiff once again and we want to play an exciting brand of rugby, which will have supporters up off their feet. It promises to be a great occasion.”