Lock Petti to become latest Argentina centurion in Nations Championship Test

Harlequins lock Guido Petti will become the sixth player to reach 100 caps for the Pumas when he starts against Wales in the Nations Championship this weekend in San Juan, the Argentine Rugby Union announced on Thursday. 

Petti follows in the footsteps of second-row partner Matias Alemanno, who reached the landmark in last week's campaign-opening loss to Scotland in Cordoba, having made his Test debut in 2014.

The 31-year-old came through the San Isidro club in Buenos Aires before spells with Jaguares, Bordeaux-Begles in France and now English side Quins.

"He's a very authentic person, very committed, very loved by the whole squad," Argentina captain Julian Montoya told reporters after the team announcement.

"I'm really happy for him. 

"There's no need to talk much about him as a player, his consistency has been tremendous, he's played a lot and wherever he's played he's always performed well and represented us very well.

"He's not someone who loves tributes, but I'm sure his family, his club, will be very proud," the hooker added.

Head coach Felipe Contepomi has made five changes for Saturday's game with props Boris Wenger and Tomas Rapetti coming in among the front-row. 

Mayco Vivas drops to the bench but Pedro Delgado is out of the matchday squad. 

- Rees-Zammitt benched -

Back-rower Marcos Kremer replaces co-captain Pablo Matera at openside flanker while centre Justo Piccardo and winger Bautista Delguy take the places of Faustino Sanchez Valarolo and Rodrigo Isgro. 

"We wanted to bring more speed in the front row," Contepomi told reporters.

"What we have is internal competition in each unit, with players who come through together in pairs, and we believe this is the best combination for this game. 

"But I think we're already confident in our choice," the 87-timer for Pumas international added.

Wales head coach Steve Tandy has named Louis Rees-Zammitt on the bench with Ellis Mee taking the speedster's place in the starting lineup.

Tandy has made two other alterations from last weekend's win over Fiji as Sam Costelow is handed the No 10 shirt with Dan Edwards out of the 23 completely and James Botham replacing Alex Mann at blindside flanker.

"Zam coming off the bench where the game starts to break up even more is an exciting opportunity for us to see him in that role," Tandy told reporters.

"It's about giving Costy the opportunity, he deserves it, he works his socks off," Tandy added.

Former England under-20s back-rower Kane James could make his Test debut, having been selected on the bench.

"He's a fearless young man," Tandy said of the 21-year-old.

"He's ripped straight in, fitted into the group environment, I'm excited to see him go on the weekend," the former Ospreys flanker added.

Argentina (15-1) 

Santiago Carreras; Bautista Delguy, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Mateo Carreras; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia; Joaquin Oviedo, Marcos Kremer, Santiago Grondona; Matias Alemanno, Guido Petti; Tomas Rapetti, Julian Montoya (capt), Boris Wenger 

Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Mayco Vivas, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Franco Molina, Pablo Matera, Simon Benitez Cruz, Matias Moroni, Ignacio Mendy 

Coach: Felipe Contepomi (ARG) 

Wales (15-1) 

Blair Murray; Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Aaron Wainwright, Jac Morgan, James Botham; Adam Beard, Ben Carter; Dillon Lewis, Dewi Lake (capt), Rhys Carre 

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Ben Warren, Teddy Williams, Kane James, Kieran Hardy, Max Llewellyn, Louis Rees-Zammitt 

Coach: Steve Tandy (WAL) 

Referee: Paul Williams (NZL) 

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© Agence France-Presse