Roberts dropped as Wales rings changes for Argentina test
CARDIFF, Wales (AP) Wales has reacted to its heavy loss to Australia by dropping long-time inside center Jamie Roberts amid six changes for the rugby test against Argentina on Saturday.
Another of the changes sees regular captain Sam Warburton return at blindside flanker instead of Dan Lydiate but he doesn't reclaim the armband, with veteran prop Gethin Jenkins staying in the role.
Forwards Tomas Francis and Alun-Wyn Jones are recalled, while scrumhalf Gareth Davies, winger Liam Williams and center Jonathan Davies return to the back division for the match in Cardiff.
Interim coach Rob Howley is looking for solutions after Wales' 32-8 hammering by the Wallabies on Saturday and the biggest gamble is the dropping of the powerful Roberts, who has made 83 test appearances as the axis of the backline.
Jonathan Davies replaces him after recovering from a tight hamstring, which led to him being a late withdrawal against Australia. Gareth Davies comes in for the injured Rhys Webb, and Jones is back after missing the Australia game following the death of his father.
Jenkins will make his 133rd test appearance (128 for Wales, five for the British and Irish Lions), making him the most-capped front-row forward of all time.
''With Sam returning,'' Howley said, ''we have spoken to him and we feel it's best for him to focus purely on his performance and role on Saturday, leaving the captaincy with Gethin.''
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Team: Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Liam Williams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Sam Warburton, Alun-Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Tomas Francis, Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins. Reserves: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Samson Lee, Cory Hill, James King, Lloyd Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Jamie Roberts.