Jones captains new-look Wales

Editor

Wales boss Warren Gatland has made 11 changes to his starting XV for their clash with Tonga in Cardiff on Friday.

Wales boss Warren Gatland has made 11 changes to his starting XV for their clash with Tonga in Cardiff on Friday with the Dragons' Hallam Amos set to make his debut on the wing.

The 19-year-old, who featured for Wales U20 last season, made his debut for the Dragons aged just 17. He comes into the side to line up in a back-three alongside British and Irish Lions duo George North and Leigh Halfpenny.

In the midfield the Ospreys' Ashley Beck makes his first start of the November Tests after featuring from the bench in the opening two games. He is joined in the centre by Cardiff Blues' Owen Williams who will earn his third cap after making his debut on the summer tour to Japan.

Perpignan's James Hook has been named at fly-half alongside Cardiff Blues' Lloyd Williams at scrum-half.

There are six changes in the pack from the side that beat Argentina by a record margin last weekend.

Bath prop Paul James and Scarlets hooker Ken Owens come into the starting-line up to join Rhodri Jones in the front-row.

In the second-row Luke Charteris of Perpignan starts for the first time this autumn and will play alongside British and Irish Lions second-row Ian Evans who returns from injury to take his place in the side.

Justin Tipuric retains the number seven jersey and is joined in the back-row by Andrew Coombs, who features for the first time in the series. Ryan Jones (Ospreys) lines-up at number eight and the record holding captain will lead Wales for the 33rd time on Friday.

It is the first time in twelve years that Wales welcome Tonga to the Millennium Stadium and Warren Gatland, who will reach the milestone of 100 international tests as a head coach on Friday, is expecting a tough encounter.

On the replacements bench Wales have called Wales U20 and Scarlets back Jordan Williams into the squad for his first taste of international rugby at senior level. He is joined by Ospreys prop Ryan Bevington and Scarlets hooker Emyr Phillips who made his debut in Japan in the summer.

Samson Lee who won his first cap against Argentina is again on the bench. Uncapped Scarlets scrum-half Rhodri Williams lines up alongside regional half-back partner Rhys Priestland.

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Owen Williams, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Hallam Amos, 10 James Hook, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Ryan Jones (c), 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Andrew Coombs, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Luke Charteris, 3 Rhodri Jones, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Paul James
Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Dan Lydiate, 20 Sam Warburton, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Jordan Williams

Date: Friday, November 22
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Luke Pearce (England)
Television match official: Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Assessor: Clayton Thomas (Wales)