Louis Rees-Zammit left out of Wales team as exiled star set for swift recall

Louis Rees-Zammit has been left out of the starting line-up for Wales' match against Argentina on Sunday, while Rhys Carre is poised for a swift return following his Test exile of over two years. The 24-year-old winger is understood to be vying for a spot on the bench, but still had 'boxes to tick' throughout the week to demonstrate his fitness after a foot injury that has sidelined him for the past month.

Carre is expected to make his first Wales Test appearance in nearly three years, with the Saracens loosehead prop set to start against the Pumas. His last outing for Wales was in the 2023 Six Nations, before being sidelined by Warren Gatland during his unsuccessful second tenure as Wales coach.

Gatland stepped down earlier this year, following 14 consecutive losses, which began with their last encounter with Argentina in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final.

Steve Tandy has now taken over, with this weekend's match against Argentina marking his first game at the helm. Carre, initially believed to be caught by the 25-cap rule after leaving Wales, was the standout news from Tandy's first squad.

The 27-year-old's last cap was against England in 2023, with his most recent start coming against Fiji the previous year.

Despite Wales declaring him fit this week, there's no immediate return to the starting line-up for Rees-Zammit. Instead, Tandy is expected to retain the same back-three from Wales' victory over Japan in Kobe this summer.

However, the winger, who last represented Wales before his NFL stint against Argentina in 2023, could still make an appearance from the bench this Sunday.

Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn, who kicked off the last three Six Nations matches earlier this year, are set to reunite in midfield.

Dan Edwards will continue to wear the number 10 jersey from the summer, partnering with Tomos Williams. The scrum-half is back in a Welsh jersey after his Lions tour was abruptly ended due to injury.

In the front row, Carre is expected to be accompanied by Dewi Lake and Keiron Assiratti.

Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard, both of whom missed the summer tour, are set to line up in the second row.

Alex Mann and Aaron Wainwright retain their spots from the victory over Japan, joined by captain Jac Morgan following his Lions exploits Down Under this summer.

The potential Wales XV to face Argentina includes: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Dan Edwards, Tomos Williams; Rhys Carre, Dewi Lake, Keiron Assiratti, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Alex Mann, Jac Morgan, Aaron Wainwright.

Substitutes: Liam Belcher, Nicky Smith, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, Taine Plumtree, Kieran Hardy, Callum Sheedy, Louis Rees-Zammit.