Filed under: Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup, Internationals, Wales Rugby
FRIENDLY INTERNATIONAL: MILLENNIUM STADIUM, AUGUST 20, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1430 BSTThis time last week it was Gavin Henson, now it's the turn of veteran Martyn Williams who needs a performance to guarantee his World Cup spot for Wales.
Of course, Henson's cause wasn't helped by a wrist injury that forced him off in the warm-up win over England.
Now flanker Williams, who will captain Wales against Argentina, knows he must deliver a performance to secure his place in the squad.
Wales coach Warren Gatland will announce Wales's 30-man squad for the World Cup just 48 hours after the visit of the Pumas.
And Williams, 35, who has seen his chances limited by the emergence of Sam Warburton, admits his hopes of figuring in New Zealand remain on a knife edge.
Williams, one of nine changes from the side that beat England, told BBC Sport Wales: "I've got to try and put in a big performance.
"For quite a few of us it's our last opportunity to lay a marker down and try and get on that plane for New Zealand. It's important we play well individually but that only happens if we gel as a team.
"The boys have set the standard over the last two weeks and two big performances so for a lot of us we need to play well to try and get on that plane."
MEN TO WATCH:
Adam Jones (Wales): The British Lions' prop has been sorely missed during his long absence with an elbow injury. His declaration of fitness will be music to the ears of Welsh fans, with his scrummaging a key component.
Felipe Contepomi (Argentina): An experienced fly-half who dictates play, Contepomi makes the Pumas tick and will be familiar with many of the Welsh players following his spell with Irish province Leinster.
THE BREAKDOWN:
THE FORWARDS: While Wales' fringe players will be desperate to make their mark, Argentina have all the nous in this department to slow down the hosts. In Mario Ledesma and Juan Fernandez Lobbe in their ranks, the Pumas are not short of experience in the pack.
Edge: Argentina
THE BACKS:
Lee Byrne and Leigh Halfpenny will bring pace and impetus to the Wales backline that has struggled to fire in recent times. Contempomi will orchestrate Argentina's dangerous runners from fly-half.
Edge: Wales
THE BENCH:
Stephen Jones and Huw Bennett are able to provide back-up. Argentina have a lot less experience to call on.
Edge: Wales
THE COACHING:
Gatland needed that morale-boosting win over England last time out. For the Pumas, it will take time for them to get up to pace given this is the first time Argentina's players have been together for a while.
Edge: Wales
FanHouse predicts: Wales by six
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