Argentina v Wales U20s Live: Start time, TV channel and score updates
Harri Ford starts at fly-half as one of four chances from the side that denied England a Six Nations Grand Slam in Cardiff back in March.
Nick Thomas makes his return after coming back from an ankle injury, while Jack Woods is preferred at full-back ahead of Tom Bowen.
Cardiff's Elijah Evans starts on the wing, following a stand-out season in Welsh Rugby's inaugural Super Rygbi Cymru league.
The match will be shown on Rugby Pass TV, but you can also catch all the action with our live blog below.
Argentina u20s: P Senillosa, T Silva, P Coll, F Ledesma (c), B Lescano, R Benedit, F Corletto; J Rodriguez, TL Arocena, T Rapetti, T Duclos AG Iandolino, T Dande, S Neyra, AGc Fiszman
Reps: J Otano, D Correa, G Galva, V Freiria, P Storey, FG Zaradnik, RF Miranda, A Vieyra
Wales u20s: J Woods, E Evans, O Roberts, S Emanuel, A Boshoff, H Ford, S Davies; I Emanuel, H Thomas, S Scott, K Jenkins, N Thomas D Gwynne, H Beddall (c), E Minto
Reps: S Hurley, L Trevett, O James, D Gemine, C James, E Lewis, H Wilde, T Bowen
Kick-off is at 7.30pm BST
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BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Welsh rugby decline gathers pace after loss to Japan
Summer tour second Test: Japan v WalesVenue: Noevir (Misaki Park) Stadium, Kobe Date: Saturday, 12 July Kick-off: 06:50 BSTCoverage: Watch live on S4C and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. So the depressing decline of Welsh rugby keeps gathering the Wales rugby team leave Kitakyushu for a second time in six years, the heady days of 2019 seem a lifetime Warren Gatland's squad departed their training base in the Japanese city back then to concentrate on the World Cup, they were second in the official rankings having been top just a month were the recently crowned Six Nations Grand Slam champions and would go on to reach the World Cup semi-finals in Japan before a narrow defeat to eventual winners South Matt Sherratt's side have departed Kitakyushu to travel to Kobe for the second Test, reflecting on how they relinquished a match-winning position and lost 24-19 to Eddie Jones' Japan in the first match of the series. It meant a record 18th consecutive Test defeat, continuing a losing streak that stretches back 21 months. That is a record for a tier one nation, while Japan also recorded a first victory against tier one opposition for six years. Furthermore, Wales are now in their lowest-ever position of 14th in the world rankings having dropped below Japan and Samoa. Let this latest new low sink in. Finding new ways to lose Wales have now followed up their record 68-14 Six Nations defeat against England in March in Cardiff with only a second loss to previous failure came 12 years ago when Jones was also in charge of Japan but this victory for such an inexperienced Brave Blossoms side was more impressive, and in contrast, more humbling for 2013 defeat for Wales came when they fielded a second-choice side with 15 players away with the British and Irish years on, Wales were closer to a full-strength available squad, with only flanker Jac Morgan and scrum-half Tomos Williams initially picked for the Lions in Australia and a few players rested or Williams' injury during that tour, Morgan is the only representative left in Andy Farrell's squad to further underline how far Welsh rugby has many nations would head on a summer tour without a permanent head coach but this is what Wales and the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) have former head coach Warren Gatland having left the role in February and his successor yet to be appointed, Wales have a fresh coaching staff at the helm for just this has again taken on the interim head coach role before returning to his Cardiff day job next is backed up by Gethin Jenkins, Danny Wilson and Leigh Halfpenny, while Adam Jones and Rhys Thomas have continued their Six Nations a new coaching team has been put together, the same result emerged on the weekend. Players devastated by results sequence What can Wales do in less than a week?The malfunctioning lineout and manner in which Japan gained the upper hand in the scrum, after early Wales dominance, will need to be rectified and questions will be asked on whether replacements could have been introduced might well reflect on his selection and ponder whether there needs to be changes for next weekend in Kobe. There might be a chance for fly-half Dan Edwards instead of Sam Costelow. Why scrum-half Rhodri Williams was an unused replacement for Kieran Hardy in the intense heat appears the Wales caretaker rethink his midfield selection of Johnny Williams alongside Ben Thomas, given the pair are both specialist inside centres?There has been no consistency in selection throughout the season as Wales are almost hoping they stumble on a winning example, Thomas and Williams were the eighth different centre combination in nine games over the 2024-25 the effort and desire is evident, currently the quality or belief is Wales side have forgotten how to win. In fact, many of the players have never experienced success for their country on the senior lack of confidence was glaringly obvious in Kitakyushu as Wales allowed their hosts to recover from a 12-point deficit to inflict further misery on the beleaguered depressing aftermath of these defeats has also become familiar. It continues to be uncomfortable viewing as proud young Welshmen once more experience another loss while representing their Lake looked a broken man afterwards, while seeing inexperienced internationals Tom Rogers and Blair Murray just staring into the abyss after the final whistle was hard to this is what the Wales class of 2025 has been reduced to. Faletau class lives on but lack of leaders exposed There were some familiar standout players. Number eight Taulupe Faletau is Wales' oldest and most experienced performer on this tour at the ripe old age of 34. He also remains the best player, with his class continually shining wing Josh Adams was also prominent, Faletau continues to be Wales' leading light as he created two of the three tries for the trudged off slowly during the second half, as he, like many players, appeared to be struggling with the extreme heat, but Sherratt said the veteran forward's withdrawal was a tactical will hope he is fit next weekend because they are an inferior side without was after the Cardiff forward departed on 56 minutes, when the visitors were leading 19-7, that Japan's final-quarter flourish is not the most animated character but he leads expertly by example and his absence in the latter stages was was evident that, while Wales wilted in the extreme conditions late on, there is also a lack of experienced international leaders in the current set-up as the tourists could not stop Japan's second-half momentum. Faletau is the final remaining playing member of Wales' golden generation on the international stage and there are few figures coming through to fill the void. Welsh Rugby Union failures The players and coaches will be scrutinised following another dire defeat, with some brutal comments on social media already on the powerbrokers need to take responsibility, with Welsh rugby in freefall on and off the field. WRU chief executive Abi Tierney has officially been in charge since January 2024, with all 18 international defeats coming on her does not pick the team, nor is to blame for why the supply chain of top-class players has dried up in recent years, but should expect questions on why it has taken five months, and counting, to appoint a new head who is in Japan alongside WRU president Terry Cobner, inherited a mess but the demise has intensified during her chief executive and chair Richard Collier-Keywood is responsible for leading the game in Wales which is in disarray across the has yet been no evidence of strong leadership from the current regime to fix the sinking director of rugby Dave Reddin has been tasked with appointing Gatland's successor in time for the autumn internationals, while Tierney and Collier-Keywood have other matters on their domestic game is in flux with a major debate going on about the future of professional clubs in Wales and suggestions the number of teams could be reduced from four to three, or even WRU has so far remained publicly tight-lipped on its plans for the Welsh game's future, which has created more uncertainty among players, coaches and despite what happens next weekend in Kobe, as Wales aim for a first Test victory in what will be 644 days, it will not be the end of Welsh rugby's turmoil.A win might provide some short-term respite and a glimmer of hope, with Sherratt saying the squad must channel the hurt from Kitakyushu to fuel their bid to level the a solitary success will not chase away all the clouds hovering over rugby in Wales. That is the sad reality.A stormy summer is brewing before next season - with major change required to avoid more depressing days like Wales' latest visit to Kitakyushu.
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
It hurts – Matt Sherratt urges Wales to use latest defeat by Japan as ‘fuel'
Sherratt's side led 19-7 at the interval in Kitakyushu through tries from Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers, as well as a penalty try, and were in sight of claiming Wales' first win for 21 months. But Eddie Jones' Brave Blossoms stormed back in sweltering conditions, where the temperatures reached 34 degrees Celsius alongside a very high humidity reading, to win 24-19 and register only their second ever victory over Wales. 🚨 𝙎𝙜ô𝙧 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙡 | 🇯🇵24-19🏴#WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 5, 2025 'I think you could see the feelings pitchside (at the final whistle), not just the squad but the whole staff,' said interim head coach Sherratt. 'To have a 19-7 lead in the first half and to lose the game at the end is obviously very disappointing. It hurts. 'Already we've got to quickly use that hurt to fuel next week. The great thing about this tour is we get a chance next week to put it right.' The second Test of the two-match series takes place in Kobe next Saturday, and Wales will certainly hope for cooler conditions than the stifling heat of Kitakyushu. Water breaks were taken in each half and there was also an extended interval under World Rugby's updated heat and air quality guidelines, to provide support to players playing in hot conditions. But Sherratt, who has now overseen four defeats since replacing Warren Gatland during the Six Nations Championship in February, insisted the oppressive heat was not a factor in Wales' latest loss. He added: 'If I'm honest I'd be making excuses if I said that. First half we took pretty much every chance we got bar one in their 22. 'Every ball that hit the floor bounced for us and we rolled the right side of the penalty count. Great crowd here in Kitakyushu! 🙌 Thank you so much to everyone for bringing the vibes ✨#JPNvWAL — Japan Rugby (@JRFURugby) July 5, 2025 'In the second half there were some really big moments. We had a line-out around 45 minutes to take the game to three scores, and it was a really tough call from the referee in terms of penalising us. 'It's a young group and we've not had a win for a while, those little scars can start to run deep. 'In the second half every bounce went for them in the aerial battle, and the penalty count went away from us. 'Maybe the conditions added to that as well, but my instincts (say) not so much.' There were worrying scenes inside the opening 30 seconds as lock forward Ben Carter suffered a head injury making a tackle. Carter was prone on the ground after contact and treated for several minutes before leaving the field on a stretcher. Although the Wales camp reported later that Carter had not suffered a serious injury, Sherratt said: 'Ben will be unavailable next week. 'We'll have a discussion with the staff to see what we'll do about that. But we've got cover here with Freddie (Thomas) and Ted (Williams).'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
It hurts – Matt Sherratt urges Wales to use latest defeat by Japan as ‘fuel'
Sherratt's side led 19-7 at the interval in Kitakyushu through tries from Ben Thomas and Tom Rogers, as well as a penalty try, and were in sight of claiming Wales' first win for 21 months. But Eddie Jones' Brave Blossoms stormed back in sweltering conditions, where the temperatures reached 34 degrees Celsius alongside a very high humidity reading, to win 24-19 and register only their second ever victory over Wales. 🚨 𝙎𝙜ô𝙧 𝙏𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙡 | 🇯🇵24-19🏴#WelshRugby | #JPNvWAL — Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) July 5, 2025 'I think you could see the feelings pitchside (at the final whistle), not just the squad but the whole staff,' said interim head coach Sherratt. 'To have a 19-7 lead in the first half and to lose the game at the end is obviously very disappointing. It hurts. 'Already we've got to quickly use that hurt to fuel next week. The great thing about this tour is we get a chance next week to put it right.' The second Test of the two-match series takes place in Kobe next Saturday, and Wales will certainly hope for cooler conditions than the stifling heat of Kitakyushu. Water breaks were taken in each half and there was also an extended interval under World Rugby's updated heat and air quality guidelines, to provide support to players playing in hot conditions. But Sherratt, who has now overseen four defeats since replacing Warren Gatland during the Six Nations Championship in February, insisted the oppressive heat was not a factor in Wales' latest loss. He added: 'If I'm honest I'd be making excuses if I said that. First half we took pretty much every chance we got bar one in their 22. 'Every ball that hit the floor bounced for us and we rolled the right side of the penalty count. Great crowd here in Kitakyushu! 🙌 Thank you so much to everyone for bringing the vibes ✨#JPNvWAL — Japan Rugby (@JRFURugby) July 5, 2025 'In the second half there were some really big moments. We had a line-out around 45 minutes to take the game to three scores, and it was a really tough call from the referee in terms of penalising us. 'It's a young group and we've not had a win for a while, those little scars can start to run deep. 'In the second half every bounce went for them in the aerial battle, and the penalty count went away from us. 'Maybe the conditions added to that as well, but my instincts (say) not so much.' There were worrying scenes inside the opening 30 seconds as lock forward Ben Carter suffered a head injury making a tackle. Carter was prone on the ground after contact and treated for several minutes before leaving the field on a stretcher. Although the Wales camp reported later that Carter had not suffered a serious injury, Sherratt said: 'Ben will be unavailable next week. 'We'll have a discussion with the staff to see what we'll do about that. But we've got cover here with Freddie (Thomas) and Ted (Williams).'
