INFLUENTIAL loosehead Rob Evans has been promoted to the Wales XV to face Argentina after Scarlets teammate Wyn Jones was ruled out with a calf injury.

Jones, who suffered a hamstring injury in the Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin, was set to start against the powerful Pumas pack in San Juan tomorrow (kick-off 7.40pm).

However, the nine-times capped prop was injured in training and will now return home for further assessment.

Jones, 26, came off the bench in the second half of last weekend's 22-20 win against South Africa in Washington after backing up the Ospreys' Nicky Smith.

The Scarlet has had a strong season for the Guinness PRO14 runners-up and Champions Cup semi-finalists but the promotion of Evans strengthens Warren Gatland's inexperienced pack.

The 26-year-old will be a reassuring presence at the scrum – up against former Dragon Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro – and will feature prominently in the loose.

Evans will now be Wales' most experienced forward with 25 caps, beating number eight Ross Moriarty's 21 and captain Cory Hill's 16.

The tourists' starting pack has a combined tally of 81 Test appearances while Pumas captain Agustin Creevy has 71 on his own.

From watching Super Rugby, Wales boss Gatland knows that his charges will be targeted up front.

"There are certain games the Jaguares have played in where they've dominated some teams and there are some games where they've been under pressure at set piece," said the head coach.

"We expect a real challenge from that. The threat that South Africa imposed on us is exactly the one that we expect. We're expecting them to try and take our legs from us at scrum and driving lineouts."

However, Gatland knows that the Pumas are certainly not one-dimensional.

"Everyone talks about the strength of Argentina's front five but I think they've tried to play a little bit more rugby and they've gone away from that in the last few years," he said.

"This year they're trying to get their balance between they're traditional strengths and that Latino flair where they're capable of moving the ball.

"They're dangerous because they've got a good set piece and they're prepared to take risks to play with some tempo and some flair."

Gatland makes eight changes to the side that edged out the Springboks with lock Cory Hill becoming the first Dragons player to captain Wales since Michael Owen against France in the 2006 Six Nations.

George North is back on the wing after starting in midfield in Washington before shifting to the flank when Steff Evans suffered a knee injury.

Worcester speedster Josh Adams will be down the right while Hadleigh Parkes and Ospreys-bound Scott Williams, his former Scarlets teammate, are paired in midfield.

Rhys Patchell gets a chance at fly-half ahead of Gareth Anscombe while Gareth Davies returns at scrum-half.

Adam Beard joins Hill in the second row, Evans replaces Smith and James Davies gets the nod at openside flanker with Ellis Jenkins, man of the match and skipper against the Boks, rested.

Hill is joined in the XV by fellow Dragons Elliot Dee and Hallam Amos, at hooker and full-back respectively, while flanker Aaron Wainwright is likely to get onto the field to make his Test debut after being an unused replacement against South Africa.

The 20-year-old from Bassaleg has enjoyed a remarkable rise after only making his professional debut at Cardiff Blues in October, impressing with his strong running and work rate.

Wales: Hallam Amos (Dragons), Josh Adams (Worcester), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), George North (Northampton), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Cory Hill (captain, Dragons), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), James Davies (Scarlets), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester)

Replacements: Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Owen Watkin (Ospreys)

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)