NEWPORT Gwent Dragons back row forward Ollie Griffiths is poised to win make his Test debut on Friday after being named on the Wales bench for clash with Tonga.

The 22-year-old from Newbridge is among the replacements for the international at Eden Park (kick-off 6.30am), the first part of a double-header in Auckland with New Zealand then taking on Samoa.

Griffiths misses out on the start at number eight to Cardiff Blues’ Josh Navidi but should add plenty of dynamism from the bench while his Dragons teammate Cory Hill gets the nod in the second row. Centre/wing Tyler Morgan misses out with Cory Allen preferred on the bench.

Acting head coach Robin McBryde hands starts to three debutants – Scarlets wing Steff Evans, Wasps openside Thomas Young and Cardiff Blues lock Seb Davies.

Six players are poised for first caps off the bench with Griffiths joined by Scarlets front rowers Wyn Jones and Ryan Elias, Blues tighthead Dillon Lewis, Scarlets scrum-half Aled Davies and Gloucester-bound fly-half/centre Owen Williams.

McBryde has played it safe with his starting XV in the absence of the Lions contingent with experience in the back line coming from centres Jamie Roberts and Scott Williams, wing Alex Cuthbert, scrum-half Gareth Davies and full-back Gareth Anscombe.

Exeter tighthead Tomas Francis provides some Test knowhow in the pack while Hill, hooker Kristian Dacey and loosehead Nicky Smith get the chance to shine after frequently being deputies with in-form Scarlets blindside Aaron Shingler winning a first cap since 2014.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our players to be taking part in this match at Eden Park, and we expect them to make the most of it," said McBryde, whose team has been based in Takapuna on Auckland's North Shore.

"We've got an average age of 25 in the match squad, but there are experienced heads in there. We'll need them all to be on top form against what will undoubtedly be a passionate, tough Tongan team.

"We've had a very good week in Auckland. The younger players have gained a valuable insight into what is expected of an international rugby player, with much of that being led by the senior players' example.

“That learning process will continue this Friday in Eden Park, and again when we head to Samoa for next Friday's Test match in Apia."

WALES

15 Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues, 9 caps)

14 Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues, 46 caps)

13 Scott Williams (Scarlets, 46 caps)

12 Jamie Roberts (c) (Harlequins, 94 caps)

11 Steffan Evans (Scarlets, uncapped)

10 Sam Davies (Ospreys, 6 caps)

9 Gareth Davies (Scarlets, 24 caps)

1 Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 12 caps)

2 Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues, 3 caps)

3 Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)

4 Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues, uncapped)

5 Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons, 5 caps)

6 Aaron Shingler (Scarlets, 8 caps)

7 Thomas Young (Wasps, uncapped)

8 Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues, 1 cap)

Replacements

16 Ryan Elias (Scarlets, uncapped)

17 Wyn Jones (Scarlets, uncapped)

18 Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues, uncapped)

19 Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, 3 caps)

20 Ollie Griffiths (Newport Gwent Dragons, uncapped)

21 Aled Davies (Scarlets, uncapped)

22 Owen Williams (Gloucester, uncapped) 

23 Cory Allen (Ospreys, 4 caps)