Portugal Colonial - Rees-Zammit set for Wales return with bench role against Argentina

The 24-year-old wing has not played for Wales since a 2023 World Cup quarter-final loss to Argentina following an unsuccessful 18-month stint in American Football at the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars where he failed to feature in a competitive NFL game.

Rees-Zammit returned to rugby with English Prem club Bristol in August but has been battling a toe injury sustained last month ahead of Wales’ opening Autumn Nations Series international.

New head coach Steve Tandy has retained the same back-three –- Blair Murray, Tom Rogers and Josh Adams – from Wales’ 31-22 win over Japan in Kobe in July, which ended their record run of 18 successive Test defeats.

"It's a real privilege to announce my first match day 23 for Wales," Tandy said Friday as he unveiled the team.

"I just want to see that 23 really go out there and express themselves on Sunday and enjoy every moment of representing the country in such a unique and special jersey."

Argentina, who beat both New Zealand and Australia during the recent southern hemisphere Rugby Championship, are due to name their side later Friday for what will be their first match against Wales since the World Cup.

Wales (15-1)

Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Aaron Wainwright, Jac Morgan (capt), Alex Mann; Adam Beard, Dafydd Jenkins; Keiron Assiratti, Dewi Lake, Rhys Carre

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Nicky Smith, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Olly Cracknell, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Louis Rees-Zammit

Coach: Steve Tandy (WAL)

E.Raimundo--PC