James poised to make Wales debut

Exeter Chiefs flanker Kane James is poised to make his Wales debut from the bench against Argentina.

As the Nations Championship goes into its second weekend, James will be looking to make an impact at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario on Saturday (KO 20:10 BST).

James said: “I’m super excited to be potentially making my debut this weekend in such a cool place as well. It’s a huge moment, not only for myself, but also my whole family and a day that I will remember forever.”

Wales head coach Steve Tandy said: “Kane is an exciting player. He’s so powerful and quick. The way he’s come into the environment and just jumped straight in; he hasn’t been tentative in anything he does.

“He creates a big energy in how he goes about his work; he’s super diligent around everything, taking on the detail. I’m really excited to see Kane get his first cap on the weekend.”

Meanwhile, there are three Chiefs in the starting line-up for Italy with Stephen Varney at scrum-half, Andrea Zambonin in the second row, and Ross Vintcent at blindside flanker.

Italy take on the All Blacks at the Hnry Stadium in Wellington (KO 17:10) while England will take on Fiji in an away fixture at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool (KO 14:10). All games are being played on Saturday.

In other news, Chiefs’ Henry Slade will return to the England starting line-up at outside centre with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the wing. The last time Slade started for England against Argentina in 2025.

Elsewhere, uncapped trio George Kloska, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Noah Caluori are named amongst the replacements.

“We've had a really positive week of preparation, and the players have worked hard in training,” said England men’s head coach Steve Borthwick.

“We know Fiji will provide a tough challenge. They are a dangerous side who will demand the very best from us.

“It's fantastic to be playing at Hill Dickinson Stadium, which is an outstanding venue. There is a real passion for rugby across the north of England, and we're looking forward to experiencing a brilliant atmosphere in Liverpool.”

Meanwhile, England U20s have booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Junior World Championships in Georgia. Featuring Chiefs’ Nick Lilley and George Newman, England beat Ireland, USA and Argentina to reach the knock-out stage against reigning champions South African U20s. They will play each other on Monday (KO 17:30).

ENGLAND

15 Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 51 caps)
14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 28 caps)
13 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 75 caps)
12 Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 5 caps)
11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 14 caps)
10 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 17 caps)
9 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 25 caps)
1 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 81 caps) – vice-captain
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 111 caps) – captain
3 Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
4 Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 20 caps)
5 George Martin (Saracens, 22 caps)
6 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 36 caps) – vice-captain
7 Guy Pepper (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
8 Ben Earl (Saracens, 52 caps)

Replacements:
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 59 caps)
17 Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 7 caps)
18 George Kloska (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
19 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 69 caps)
20 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
21 Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 31 caps)
22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
23 Noah Caluori (Saracens, uncapped)

ITALY

15 Tommaso Aallan (Zebre Parma, 90 caps)
14 Malik Faissal (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
13 Juan Ignacio Brex (Toulon, 53 caps)
12 Tommaso Menoncello (Stade Toulousain, 40 caps)
11 Louis Lynagh (Benetton Rugby, 14 caps)
10 Paolo Garbisi (Toulon, 55 caps)
9 Stephen Varney (Exeter Chiefs, 38 caps)
1 Danilo Fischetti (Northampton Saints 64 caps)
2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma, 11 caps)
3 Marco RICCIONI (Perpignan, 37 caps)
4 Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 64 caps)
5 Andrea Zambonin (Exeter Chiefs, 19 caps)
6 Ross Vintcent (Exeter Chiefs, 20 caps)
7 Michele Lamaro (Benetton Rugby, 55 caps) – captain
8 Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 39 caps)

Replacements:
16 Gianmarco Lucchesi (Toulon, 34 caps)
17 Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton Rugby, 25 caps)
18 Muhamed Hasa (Zebre Parma, 9 caps)
19 Giulio Marini (Benetton Rugby, uncapped)
20 Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby, 72 caps)
21 Riccardo Favretto (Benetton Rugby, 14 caps)
22 Alessandro Garbisi (Benetton Rugby, 23 caps)
23 Leonardo Marin (Benetton Rugby, 23 caps)

WALES

15 Blair Murray (Scarlets – 17 caps)
14 Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 9 caps)
13 Eddie James (Scarlets – 10 caps)
12 Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 12 caps)
11 Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby – 71 caps)
10 Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 21 caps)
9 Tomos Williams (Saracens – 73 caps)
1 Rhys Carre (Saracens – 29 caps)
2 Dewi Lake (Gloucester Rugby – 32 caps) - captain
3 Dillon Lewis (Dragons – 58 caps)
4 Ben Carter (Dragons – 20 caps)
5 Adam Beard (Montpellier – 66 caps)
6 James Botham (Cardiff Rugby – 22 caps)
7 Jac Morgan (Gloucester Rugby – 25 caps)
8 Aaron Wainwright (Leicester Tigers – 68 caps)

Replacements:
16 Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 49 caps)
17 Nicky Smith (Sale Sharks – 64 caps)
18 Ben Warren (Ospreys – 1 cap)
19 Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
20 Kane James (Exeter Chiefs – uncapped)
21 Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 31 caps)
22 Max Llewellyn (Gloucester Rugby – 11 caps)
23 Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears – 41 caps)