Steve Tandy Names First Wales Line-Up as Head Coach for Autumn Nations Series
Rhys Carre has been recalled to the Wales starting XV to face Argentina in the Autumn Nations Series on Sunday, 9 November (15:10 GMT) at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Meanwhile, Louis Rees-Zammit will make his highly anticipated return to Test rugby — but from the bench.
New Wales head coach Steve Tandy has made seven changes from the side that beat Japan in July, marking a new era for Welsh rugby following their record 18-match losing streak earlier in the year.
Carre’s Recall Marks His First Start Since 2023
The Saracens loosehead prop, 27, will start an international for the first time since 2023. His selection comes after the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) eased its strict 25-cap rule, allowing Carre to feature despite playing club rugby in England.
Carre, who previously played for Cardiff Rugby, was deemed ineligible under WRU rules for the past two years due to having just 20 international caps. However, a clause allowing for “reasonable contract circumstances” has cleared his selection.
Head coach Steve Tandy clarified that the policy loophole did not influence his choice:
“This decision was purely based on form and performance. Rhys has worked hard to earn his place and brings strong set-piece presence and scrummaging power.”
Carre will anchor the front row alongside Dewi Lake (Ospreys) and Keiron Assiratti (Cardiff).
Rees-Zammit Returns After NFL Stint and Injury
The return of Louis Rees-Zammit is one of the biggest talking points of the week. The Bristol Bears winger, 24, has not featured for Wales since the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to Argentina — their very opponents on Sunday.
Rees-Zammit took a bold detour into American football, spending time on NFL practice squads with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars before returning to rugby in August.
Although a toe injury sidelined him in early October, he is now fit again. Tandy hailed his inclusion as a major boost:
“Louis is a special athlete and brings a unique mindset. It’s fantastic to have him back in the mix.”
He joins the bench alongside Kieran Hardy and Jarrod Evans, while the starting back three features Blair Murray, Tom Rogers, and Josh Adams.
Olly Cracknell Named in Matchday Squad
Another surprise inclusion is Leicester Tigers number eight Olly Cracknell, who earns his first senior Wales call-up at age 31. The former Ospreys flanker replaces injured Taulupe Faletau and joins the replacements bench.
Cracknell’s selection highlights Tandy’s intent to inject experience and aggression into the Welsh pack, which also features captain Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright, and Alex Mann.
Wales’ Pack Rebuilt Around Lions Experience
Locks Adam Beard and Dafydd Jenkins return to the engine room, providing height and line-out dominance after missing the summer tour of Japan.
After captaining the British & Irish Lions to victory in Australia, Jac Morgan resumes leadership duties for Wales. He will line up alongside Mann and Wainwright in what Tandy describes as “a balanced, mobile back row built for pressure rugby.”
Tandy’s Vision: “Play With Joy and Belief”
Speaking ahead of his debut match as head coach, Steve Tandy called the opportunity a “privilege.”
“I want this team to express themselves and enjoy every moment of representing Wales. Playing for your country is a unique and special honour.”
Wales’ clash with Argentina is the first of four autumn fixtures, followed by games against Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The Principality Stadium is expected to host a packed crowd as Wales look to build confidence under their new management.
Argentina Look to Spoil Tandy’s Debut
Argentina, fresh off a competitive Rugby Championship campaign, will provide a stern test for Wales’ reshaped squad. The Pumas defeated Wales 29–17 in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final, ending Warren Gatland’s tenure on a low note.
Sunday’s match will test whether Tandy’s Wales can produce both resilience and attacking fluency — qualities that have eluded them in recent years.
Predicted Line-Ups
Wales Starting XV:
Murray; Rogers, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Carre, Lake, Assiratti, D Jenkins, Beard, Mann, Morgan (capt), Wainwright.
Replacements:
Belcher, Smith, Griffin, F Thomas, Cracknell, Hardy, J Evans, Rees-Zammit.
Analysis: Carre’s Comeback, Rees-Zammit’s Redemption
Carre’s recall represents a statement of faith in his scrummaging and experience, while Rees-Zammit’s bench return adds excitement and speed to Wales’ backline options.
If Wales can dominate up front and unleash their backline late on, they could exact long-awaited revenge on Argentina and kick off the Tandy era with a confidence-boosting win.
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