Wales v Argentina, Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final: When is it, how to watch
The first of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals will see Wales take on Argentina.
Wales defied their pre-tournament form to top Pool C with four wins from four, including a comprehensive win over Eddie Jones’ Australia, after earlier beating Fiji and Portugal. They rounded off their pool-stage games with victory over Georgia.
Argentina reached the quarter-finals thanks to a winner-takes-all victory over Japan to secure second place in Pool D behind England.
When is it?
Wales will take on Argentina on Saturday, October 14. The game kicks off at 4pm (BST), 5pm local time.
Where is it?
Stade de Marseille, Marseille
Capacity: 67,847
The Stade de Marseille is home to the Marseille football club. It hosted matches during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, when it staged two quarter-finals, as well as the 1938 and 1998 football World Cup finals. France have played 13 rugby Tests at the venue and it also hosted the 2022 Champions Cup final.
What is the latest Wales team news?
Dan Biggar and Liam Williams have been passed fit to start Wales’ World Cup quarter-final against Argentina on Saturday.
Biggar has been struggling with a chest injury and Williams was a doubt because of a knee problem, but they have been given the all-clear for the Stade Velodrome showdown and start at fly-half and full-back respectively.
There is no place in the 23 for Gareth Anscombe, however, after he was forced to withdraw 45 minutes before kick-off against Georgia last Saturday because of a groin issue.
Taulupe Faletau’s World Cup-ending broken arm sustained in the 43-19 victory over the Georgians has resulted in a reshuffle to the back row.
Aaron Wainwright moves across from blindside flanker to fill the void at No 8 created by Faletau’s injury, while skipper Jac Morgan takes the No 6 shirt.
Tommy Reffell comes into at openside to complete the back row adjustments against the Pumas.
Wales XV: L Williams; Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; G Thomas, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Morgan (capt), Reffell, Wainwright.
Replacements: Lake, Domachowski, D Lewis, D Jenkins, Tshiunza, T Williams, Costelow, Dyer.
What is the latest Argentina team news?
Argentina have shifted around their loose forward trio and brought back veteran scrum-half Tomas Cubelli in two changes from last weekend’s win over Japan.
Pablo Matera tore his hamstring in the 39-27 win in Nantes that ensured Argentina’s progress to the knockout stages, ending his participation at the tournament in France, and is replaced by Facundo Isa in the team. But Isa will play at No 8 against Wales with Juan Martin Gonzalez moving to the open side in place of Matera for the clash in Marseille.
Cubelli replaces Gonzalo Bertranou in an intriguing selection gamble, with the Welsh-based Bertranou dropping out of the matchday 23 and Lautaro Bazan Velez remaining as replacement scrum-half on the bench for a third successive game.
Argentin XV: Mallia; Boffelli, Cinti, Chocobares, M Carreras; S Carreras, Cubelli; Gallo, Montoya (capt), Gómez Kodela, Petti, Lavanini, Gonzalez, Kremer, Isa.
Replacements: Creevy, Sclavi, Bello, Alemanno, Bruni, Bazan Velez, Sanchez, Moroni.
Who is the referee?
Jaco Peyper (South Africa). This is a second quarter-final for Peyper; his first was Wales v France in 2019. It is also his 50th Test as a referee.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
How to watch on TV
ITV has exclusive broadcast rights to show the Rugby World Cup in the UK. Wales v Argentina will be shown on ITV1.
Read Telegraph Sport’s analysis of the best TV commentators and pundits.
Radio commentary will be available only on the BBC, across Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sounds service. The BBC offers a “bespoke output” in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How do I get tickets?
Tickets for this match, if they are still available, can be purchased via the official Rugby World Cup ticket portal.
Wales Pool C results
September 10: Wales 32 Fiji 26
September 16: Wales 28 Portugal 8
September 24: Wales 40 Australia 6
October 7: Wales 43 Georgia 19
Argentina’s Pool D results
September 9: England 27 Argentina 10
September 22:Argentina 19 Samoa 10
September 30: Argentina 59 Chile 5
October 8: Japan 27 Argentina 39
Best of the latest odds
France: 3/1
Ireland: 3/1
South Africa: 7/2
New Zealand: 4/1
England: 13/1
Wales: 25/1
Argentina: 50/1
Fiji: 80/1
Odds correct as of October 13. Having a punt? First take a look at these Rugby World Cup free bets and betting offers.
