DRAGONS centre Tyler Morgan will make his first Test appearance since the quarter-final of the World Cup when he lines up for Wales against Samoa on Friday.
The 21-year-old from Caerleon has been selected outside captain Jamie Roberts in the midfield for his fourth cap.
Morgan was first capped against Ireland and went on to play against Fiji and South Africa as injury at the World Cup, suffering a shoulder injury against the Springboks in the last-eight loss at Twickenham.
He will take on the Samoans after a strong finish to the campaign with the Dragons but there is no place in the squad for his teammate Ollie Griffiths, who played just two minutes as a back row replacement against Tonga last week.
Deprived of lock Cory Hill, tighthead Tomos Francis, hooker Kristian Dacey and scrum-half Gareth Davies because of Lions call-ups and wing Alex Cuthbert because of injury, caretaker coach Robin McBryde makes seven changes after the 24-6 win in Tonga.
Ospreys lock Rory Thornton makes his Test debut while hooker Ryan Elias, prop Dillon Lewis and openside Ellis Jenkins are promoted from the bench. In the back, Aled Davies makes his first Test start at scrum-half while Cory Allen replaces Cuthbert outside Morgan.
Cardiff Blues scrum-half Tomos Williams and Ospreys lock Adam Beard will make their international bows if they make it off the bench.
Wales team to face Samoa
15 Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues, 10 caps)
14 Cory Allen (Ospreys, 5)
13 Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons, 4 caps)
12 Jamie Roberts (c) (Harlequins, 92 caps)
11 Steffan Evans (Scarlets, 1 cap)
10 Sam Davies (Ospreys, 7)
9 Aled Davies (Scarlets, 1 cap)
1 Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 13 caps)
2 Ryan Elias (Scarlets, 1 cap)
3 Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues, 1 cap)
4 Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues, 1 cap)
5 Rory Thornton (Ospreys, uncapped)
6 Aaron Shingler (Scarlets, 9 caps)
7 Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, 4 caps)
8 Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues, 2 caps)
Replacements
16 Scott Baldwin (Ospreys, 33 caps)
17 Wyn Jones (Scarlets, 1 cap)
18 Rhodri Jones (Ospreys, 14 caps)
19 Adam Beard (Ospreys, uncapped)
20 Thomas Young (Wasps, 1 cap)
21 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues, uncapped)
22 Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
23 Scott Williams (Scarlets, 47 caps)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel