Dragons youngster Amos to make debut in much-changed Wales side against Tonga
By Andrew Baldock, Press Association
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Newport Gwent Dragons back Hallam Amos will make his Wales debut in Friday night's clash against Tonga at the Millennium Stadium.
Stockport-born Amos, 19, who moved to Wales at the age of four, is among 11 changes from the side that claimed a record 40-6 victory against Argentina three days ago.
New boy: Hallam Amos in training for Wales
Wales team v Tonga
L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); G North (Scarlets), O Williams (Cardiff Blues), A Beck (Ospreys), H Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons); J Hook (Perpignan), L Williams (Cardiff Blues); P James (Bath), K Owens (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), L Charteris (Perpignan), I Evans (Ospreys), A Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), J Tipuric (Ospreys), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt).
Replacements: E Phillips (Scarlets), R Bevington (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), D Lydiate (Racing Metro), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), R Williams (Scarlets), R Priestland (Scarlets), J Williams (Scarlets).
(Millennium Stadium, Friday)
The four survivors from that Pumas clash are full-back Leigh Halfpenny, wing George North, prop Rhodri Jones and flanker Justin Tipuric in a team captained by number eight Ryan Jones.
Amos was only called up to join the Wales training squad nine days ago, but he now goes into the team. Ashley Beck and Cardiff Blues centre Owen Williams will forge the Wales midfield, while versatile James Hook is handed a chance in the number 10 shirt alongside half-back partner Lloyd Williams.
It will be Owen Williams' third cap after he made his debut during the summer tour of Japan earlier this year. There are six changes in the Wales pack, including starts for Bath prop Paul James, Ospreys lock Ian Evans and Dragons flanker Andrew Coombs.
But there is also plenty of quality back-up on the bench, with the replacements including British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton and Racing Metro's Dan Lydiate.
Opportunity: James Hook will be given the chance to impress at No 10
'Tonga are a typical South Sea Island side and will be physical, powerful and won't take a backwards step,' Wales head coach Warren Gatland said.
'We pride ourselves on matching other sides' physicality, and we will have to do that on Friday. It should be a great encounter with both sides looking to move the ball around.
'We have made a number of changes, but it's a great opportunity for these guys to show us exactly how they cope with the international game.
'The whole squad has trained well since the start of the campaign and they deserve their chance.'
Also on the bench, Gatland has drafted in Scarlets back Jordan Williams, where he has company from Scarlets colleagues in hooker Emyr Phillips and scrum-half Rhodri Williams.
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Northumbrian, Northumberland, United Kingdom, 3 days ago
Think I will watch East Enders, will be more exciting.
DD, Hants, United Kingdom, 3 days ago