Wales looking to 'build upon last week' as they try to emulate Scotland

Match News and Current Form

It always seems to be one step forward, one step backward for the Argentina rugby team these days. They squandered an opportunity to move above England to sixth in the World Rugby rankings when they were 17-point favourites at home to Scotland last weekend, conceding a hefty seven tries after last year recording their points conceded average (30) in three seasons. It was their 11th consecutive game to clear 50+ total points and only six of the last ten were won by favourites, with a win against New Zealand and last week’s defeat underlining just how inconsistent they can be.

The home side have made six changes to their side, five of them in the starting XV, in response to last weekend’s defeat. Pedro Delgado,     Pablo Matera and Rodrigo Isgró are amongst those who have been dropped. Forward Guido Petti will join his fellow second-rower Matías Alemanno as a centurion by becoming the sixth Argentinian to reach 100 international caps, with he and Alemanno joining Brodie Retallick (109 caps) and Sam Whitelock (153 caps) as the second 100-game second row combination in history. Adding to the spectacle, the local community will be endeavouring to raise money for earthquake victims in Venezuela. 

Wales will no doubt be in a charitable mood off the park, but there’s absolutely no room for complacency or mercy as they continue to move forward after nearly three years of misery. After finally snapping their 18-game losing streak during last year’s mid-year window, a four-game losing streak in the Six Nations Championship showed little more than faint signs of progress. But a three-game winning streak, including a Barbarians exhibition in which they were one-point favourites and tested in the dying minutes of the match, has some supporters purring with excitement. 

“Building on last week’s performance” is the name of the game for head coach Steve Tandy, who has been charged with overseeing a long rebuild leading into the 2027 World Cup. A victory here could see them return into the top-ten of the world rankings, other results permitting, which would be an important psychological milestone. Tandy has made three changes to his side, going for Tomos Williams and Sam Costelow as the new halves combination instead of Williams and Dan Edwards, whilst James Botham replaces  Alex Mann as blindside flanker. 

Head-to-Head History

Argentina defeated Wales at the 2023 World Cup and an away friendly in November 2025 and have now lost just one of the last five H2Hs (W3, D1) following a very lopsided history prior to 2020.

Hot Stats and Streaks

Seven of Argentina’s last nine matches were decided by a single-digit margin.

Argentina scored the majority of their points after half-time in four of their last five games. 

Five of Wales’ six games this year cleared the total points handicap.

Wales conceded 22+ points in all but one of their last 28 matches (W6, L22). 

Key Players to Watch and Missing Players

One of Argentina’s inclusions for this match, Bautista Delguy, scored tries in three of his last four starting appearances for his country. Cardiff winger Josh Adams is the second-most capped member of the Wales XV and has found the line in three separate internationals this year.

Neither side appeared to make any forced changes due to new injuries.

See the lineups and team news for the match here.

Betting Analysis

The recent form of both teams points towards over 62.5 total points.

Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.