NEWCASTLE Emlyn duo Gareth Thomas and Josh Turnbull will both start on the bench for Wales on Saturday in the first of two tests against Argentina in Cardiff.

Ospreys' loose-head prop Thomas won his first senior cap when he came on as a replacement in the 68-12 win against Canada at the Principality Stadium last weekend.

"It's been one of the best days of my life so far," said the 26 year-old, who is a former pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi,and had represented Wales at Under-20s level.

"To be able to get my first cap in front of my family and friends is one of my proudest moments. As I stepped on the field and sung the anthem, emotions were quite high, and I was just so proud."

Cardiff Blues' in-form back rower Josh Turnbull also came on for his 11th senior international cap - having won the last of his 10 caps in Argentina in 2018.

"I genuinely feel like I’ve had my first call-up again,” said the 33 year-old, who is a former pupil of Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn.

“I’ve had that feeling a couple of times before, having been involved in a number of campaigns.But people have been telling me that I’ve made more comebacks than Lazarus!

“It’s that never give up attitude and trying to keep chipping away at it, and eventually that reward will come. I’m chuffed to bits, and this is the icing on top of the cake for the season."

Wales have made three changes for the first of two summer Tests against Argentina at Principality Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday (1pm).

All three changes come in the back line, where Kieran Hardy gets the nod at scrum-half to partner Callum Sheedy.

Jonathan Davies continues as captain, alongside Uilisi Halaholo, but Cardiff Rugby duo Hallam Amos and Owen Lane come into a new look back-three with Jonah Holmes.

Wayne Pivac has named entirely the same pack that faced Canada in Cardiff last weekend, with Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee and Dillon Lewis providing an experienced front-row.

Ben Carter and Will Rowlands combine in the second-row, while Ross Moriarty, James Botham and Aaron Wainwright continue in the back-row.

“Argentina provide the perfect opponents for us this weekend and are the exact test we want for this group of players,” said Pivac.

“We will be tested up front and the physicality will be at a level that some of these players have not experienced before but that will answer a lot of questions for us as we build towards Rugby World Cup 2023.

“It’s great to play in Cardiff once again and we want to play an exciting brand of rugby, which will have supporters up off their feet. It promises to be a great occasion.”

There is one further change among the replacements with Jarrod Evans recovering from the ankle injury that ruled him out from facing Canada.

Wales (v Argentina): Hallam Amos; Jonah Holmes, Willis Halaholo, Jonathan Davies (capt), Owen Lane; Callum Sheedy, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Elliot Dee, Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter, Will Rowlands, Ross Moriarty, James Botham, Aaron Wainwright. Replacements: Ryan Elias, Gareth Thomas, Leon Brown, Josh Turnbull, Taine Basham, Tomos Williams, Jarrod Evans, Nick Tompkins.