AFTER being denied a cap by a swift lineout in Washington, Dragons forward Aaron Wainwright should get the chance to become a Wales international in Argentina on Saturday and add to Warren Gatland's back row selection headache in World Cup year.

The 20-year-old from Bassaleg has kept his place on the Welsh bench for the first of two Tests with the Pumas.

Wainwright will hope that lightning doesn't strike twice after an eventful finish against South Africa last weekend.

The tight nature of the game meant that the novice was still on the bench when the clock approached 79 minutes. Wales kicked a penalty to touch and the Dragons back rower took off his bib and ran towards the field.

However, the lineout was taken and the final minute elapsed without a break.

Thankfully Gatland has kept Wainwright, who is carrying a giant lovespoon on tour as the youngster member of the party, in his 23-man squad for the clash in Santa Fe.

That means the back row forward, who can play 6, 7 and 8, should get a cap after a remarkable season that was meant to be spent with Newport RFC in the Principality Premiership.

He made his professional debut at Cardiff Arms Park in October and went on to feature in 25 of 26 games for the Dragons.

Wainwright was called up by Gatland when Josh Navidi suffered a shoulder injury in Cardiff Blues' Challenge Cup final win and will now add to the back row options in the build-up to next year's World Cup in Japan.

Lions Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric and Dan Lydiate haven't toured, Navidi and Aaron Shingler are injured and Ollie Griffiths, Thomas Young and Sam Cross are not involved but Gatland still has options in Argentina.

Wainwright backs up a trio of James Davies, Seb Davies and Ross Moriarty with last week's captain and man of the match Ellis Jenkins rested and Josh Turnbull also backing up blindside as well as lock.

"There is a little bit of pressure on," said Gatland. "We have spoken a lot about how important the next 12 months is in terms of building to the World Cup.

"Every player is pretty aware of making the most of their opportunities.

"There are going to be some tight calls going forward and you look at the amount of strength in depth we have in the loose forwards, even with three or four players not here who would potentially put themselves back into contention.

"The three positions in the back row are probably the most competitive."

Gatland has made eight changes for the Test in San Juan.

George North will be back starting on the wing after playing at centre in the victory over South Africa before switching to his usual wide role following a knee injury to Steff Evans.

Worcester Warriors wing Josh Adams, who was called up as a replacement for Evans, goes straight into the Wales team to face the Pumas.

Adam Beard joins captain Cory Hill in the second row, while Wyn Jones comes into the front row and James Davies comes in at flanker.

Scarlets half-backs Gareth Davies and Rhys Patchell are named at nine and 10, with Hadleigh Parkes partnering Scott Williams in the midfield. Adams and Hallam Amos complete the back three alongside North.

Dragons-bound number eight Moriarty is the most-capped forward in the starting line-up with 21 appearances to his name. The inexperienced front eight has a combined tally of just 65 caps.

Wales: Hallam Amos (Dragons); Josh Adams (Worcester), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), George North (Northampton); Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Wyn Jones (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), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter), Josh Turnbull (Cardiff Blues), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Owen Watkin (Ospreys).