NEWPORT Gwent Dragons lock Cory Hill is set to make his Wales debut on Saturday after being named on the bench for Saturday’s autumn opener against Australia.

The 24-year-old is joined on the bench by regional teammate Hallam Amos with Alex Cuthbert getting the nod on the wing in place of the injured Liam Williams.

Coach Rob Howley, at the helm while Warren Gatland is on a Lions sabbatical, said: “It’s great to welcome back Leigh Halfpenny, Dan Lydiate, and Alex Cuthbert who missed the New Zealand tour plus George North and Gethin Jenkins who left the tour early with injury.
“We have a vast amount of experience in the squad, we’ve trained really well over the last two weeks and are really excited for Saturday.
“With losing Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau and Alun Wyn Jones, we have spoken a lot about the leadership group this week and their importance on the field.
“From the Welsh squad’s perspective, our thoughts go out to Alun Wyn and his family at this difficult time. 

“As a squad, we have a mantra of family coming first off the field, that’s always the case and obviously so here.
“With the two uncapped players, Sam Davies has played particularly well, he deserves his chance and hopefully will have an influence on the game. 

“Cory comes onto the bench, with Rory (Thornton) having picked up a back spasm, and we are delighted with him and how he has stepped up to this level in training.”

WALES TEAM

15. Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (62 Caps)

14. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (42 Caps)

13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (56 Caps)

12. Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) (83 Caps)

11. George North (Northampton Saints) (62 Caps)

10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (48 Caps)

9. Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (22 Caps)

1. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) (126 Caps) (CAPTAIN)

2. Ken Owens (Scarlets) (42 Caps)

3. Samson Lee (Scarlets) (26 Caps)

4. Bradley Davies (Ospreys) (56 Caps)

5. Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (68 Caps)

6. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) (57 Caps)

7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (43 Caps)

8. Ross Moriarty (Gloucester) (9 Caps)

REPLACEMENTS:

16. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) (24 Caps)

17. Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (3 Caps)

18. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (14 Caps)

19. Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons) (UNCAPPED)

20. James King (Ospreys) (8 Caps)

21. Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (17 Caps)

22. Sam Davies (Ospreys) (UNCAPPED)

23. Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons) (10 Caps)