Ryan Jones was set to skipper Wales against the Pumas but will now miss the game © PA Photos

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Players/Officials: Warren Gatland | Ryan Jones

Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup

Teams: Wales

Wales No.8 Ryan Jones has been ruled out of Saturday's World Cup warm-up clash against Argentina due to a calf problem, coach Warren Gatland has announced.

Jones, who was due to captain Wales for a record-equalling 28th time, has had a calf problem and will not be risked ahead of the World Cup next month. The 30-year-old is replaced by Sale Sharks forward Andy Powell, with Jonathan Thomas moving on to the bench. Flanker Martyn Williams, who wins his 99th cap this weekend, will skipper the side.

"Ryan wanted to play and could have played but we have talked it through with him and we didn't feel we needed to take any risks him this weekend," said Gatland."We have withdrawn him as a precaution and told him we are happy with what he has done so far in terms of making a claim for RWC selection.

"It is just precautionary. It gives him another week to recover. We are making a sensible decision - we just want to make sure he is right. Experience and leadership is also important for us. Ryan is able to cover a few positions in terms of eight, six and in the second row as well. A player of that quality, and who has the flexibility in other roles, is important for us.

"He's very disappointed. He wanted to play, but it was about making the decision of him [Jones] having missed out on two other World Cups, why jeopardise anything by playing on Saturday?"

Gatland names his 30-man World Cup squad on Monday, when Jones is expected to be part of a group that faces pool games against South Africa, Samoa, Namibia and Fiji. With Matthew Rees out of the tournament through injury and current skipper Sam Warburton rested this weekend, Jones was set to take the reins for a 28th time, equalling Ieuan Evans' Wales captaincy record.

Powell, meanwhile, now has a golden opportunity to press his World Cup claims ahead of Monday's announcement. He has been out of favour for much of this year, but is still a destructive player when he produces top form. He moved to Sale from Wasps earlier this summer.

Last year, Powell was thrown out of Wales' Six Nations squad after he drove a a golf buggy from the team hotel in the early hours following a victory over Scotland. He was then banned from driving by Cardiff magistrates. He subsequently rejoined the squad, but suffered an injury in the opening Six Nations game against England last season and has seen Warburton, Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau form a powerful back-row unit in his absence.

Gatland added: "It is an opportunity for Andy to start on Saturday. I have spoken to Tony Hanks (Sale coach) on a number of occasions, and they've been very impressed with him up there. Andy was initially disappointed he wasn't selected for this game. He now gets a chance to start and to show what sort of physical impact he is capable of making."

Wales fullback Lee Byrne, meanwhile, will go into the Argentina game admitting: "The pressure is on."

Byrne's place in the World Cup squad appears to be a formality, but whether or not he starts against opening opponents South Africa in Wellington on September 11 is a subject for debate. As recently as two years ago, Byrne had no realistic challengers for the Wales number 15 shirt. A Six Nations Grand Slam winner and Test Lion, he reigned supreme.

Gatland, though, now has other options, despite losing two ful-back alternatives in Stoddart and Henson. Rhys Priestland was selected to start as Wales' last line of defence against England at Twickenham two weeks ago before fly-half Stephen Jones pulled out late and Priestland switched positions. Then James Hook filled the role magnificently in last Saturday's England rematch, scoring a try and kicking two long-range penalties as Wales triumphed 19-9.

And Byrne, now fit again after suffering a knee injury during the Ospreys' final game of last season, has not been oblivious to developments. "The guys have been doing really well, and it has been about waiting for my chance," he said.

"It was an unfortunate injury to Morgan. He was playing really well and putting pressure on people, and the same with Gavin. Rhys Priestland can play 15, James Hook can play 15, so the pressure is on and it is up to me on Saturday to go out there and show what I can do. When you first put the jersey on, you are starting from scratch. As far as I am concerned, it's a new season and I am really looking forward to playing again."

Wales: Lee Byrne, Leigh Halfpenny, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, James Hook, Tavis Knoyle; Paul James, Richard Hibbert, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Martyn Williams (captain), Andy Powell

Replacements: Huw Bennett, Ryan Bevington, Jonathan Thomas, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Stephen Jones, Aled Brew