NEWCASTLE Emlyn pair Gareth Davies and Gareth Thomas will start for Wales in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina on Saturday.

Thomas retains his spot alongside Tomas Francis at prop following the 43-19 win over Georgia in the final Pool C match, while Davies has been brought back in to the starting XV at scrum half.

Warren Gatland has made six changes for the quarter-final clash, with Brynamman's Jac Morgan returning to captain Wales.

The former Ysgol Dyffryn Aman pupil comes in at blindside flanker for the injured Taulupe Faletau, with Aaron Wainwright moving to Number Eight and Tommy Reffell keeping his spot at openside flanker.

Former Hendy RFC player Josh Adams comes in on the wing for Rio Dyer, who drops to the bench. Louis Rees-Zammit will line up on the opposite wing, fresh from his hat-trick of tries against Georgia in Nantes.

Dan Biggar returns to the side, replacing Sam Costelow at fly-half, while Ryan Elias is named at hooker in place of Dewi Lake.

Adam Beard also returns to the starting XV, partnering Will Rowlands in the second row for the third time this tournament.

Nick Tompkins and George North continue their centre partnership for the fourth time this competition, with North making his 20th World Cup appearance in his fourth tournament.

Liam Williams is named at full-back.

Among Wales’ replacements, Dewi Lake, Corey Domachowski and Dillon Lewis are the front row cover while Exeter Chiefs duo Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza cover the second and back rows respectively, with Jenkins in line to make his fifth RWC23 appearance and Tshiunza his third.

The back line cover is provided by Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow and Rio Dyer.

Ahead of the game, Gatland said: “We had a goal of making the quarter-finals which we have achieved. Now it’s about building on that momentum.

“It’s exciting to enter into the knock-out stages of the tournament and we are ready for the challenge of a quarter-final. All our preparation has been geared to getting to this spot and we’re very much relishing the opportunity.

“We’re expecting another tough encounter this weekend against a physical Argentina side. We haven’t had the perfect performance yet, but we have shown that we are a hard team to beat.

“There is a lot more growth in this squad – collectively and individually – and we can’t wait to get out there in Marseille on Saturday.”

The quarter-final against Argentina will kick off in Marseille at 4pm BST on Saturday, October 14. It will be shown live on ITV and S4C.

Wales XV to face Argentina

15. Liam Williams (Kubota Spears – 88 caps)
14. Louis Rees Zammit (Gloucester Rugby – 31 caps)
13. George North (Ospreys – 117 caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (Saracens  – 31 caps)
11. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 53 caps)
10. Dan Biggar (Toulon – 111 caps)
9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets – 73 caps);
1. Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 25 caps)
2. Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 37 caps)
3. Tomas Francis (Provence Rugby – 76 caps)
4. Will Rowlands (Racing 92 – 28 caps)
5. Adam Beard (Ospreys – 50 caps)
6. Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 14 caps) – Captain
7. Tommy Reffell (Leicester Tigers – 12 caps)
8. Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 42 caps)

Replacements
16. Dewi Lake (Ospreys – 11 caps)
17. Corey Domachowski (Cardiff Rugby – 5 caps)
18. Dillon Lewis (Harlequins – 53 caps)
19. Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter Chiefs – 11 caps)
20. Christ Tshiunza (Exeter Chiefs – 9 caps)
21. Tomos Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 52 caps)
22. Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 7 caps)
23. Rio Dyer (Dragons – 13 caps)