Amos Could Be Cure For Gatland's Selection Dilemma

Medical student Hallam Amos could be just what the doctor ordered from Wales boss Warren Gatland's perspective.

The 20-year-old Newport Gwent Dragons fullback will make his second Test match appearance when Wales launch their World Cup warm-up programme against Ireland at a sold-out Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Although Toulon star Leigh Halfpenny is a certainty to be Wales' starting full-back at the World Cup, with Liam Williams – who is equally adept in full-back and wing positions at the highest level - currently battling a foot injury that threatens his tournament participation, an opportunity for Amos to secure a place in Warren Gatland’s squad as a covering fullback could be secured with impressive showings in Wales’s upcoming slate of fixtures vs Ireland and Italy

While the brunt of attention will be aimed squarely at uncapped quartet Eli Walker, Tyler Morgan, Dominic Day and Ross Moriarty this weekend, Amos' appearance in the number 15 shirt could ultimately prove the most significant development as Wales' World Cup countdown continues.

"Hallam hasn't had many opportunities," Gatland said. "We feel he can play on the wing or at full-back, where he gives us a left-foot option.

"In training, I couldn't believe how good his footwork was. It took me by surprise.”

"We've seen some of the tries he has scored with the Dragons and some of the off-loads he has put in. He got better as the season went on last season, and I am looking forward to seeing how he goes.

"It is a great chance for him, particularly if Liam doesn't come through from his injury. We have to make sure we have that full-back position covered if Leigh picks up an injury or breaks down."

Amos, who was born in Stockport but moved to Wales as a four-year-old, has just completed his second year of medical studies at Cardiff University and only received confirmation that he had passed his end-of-year exams while on a punishing pre-World Cup training camp in Switzerland last month.

And if he does make Gatland's final 31-man World Cup squad, then it could mean a planned hospital placement being put on hold until after rugby's 2015 global spectacular ends in October.

"It's a huge game on Saturday," Amos said. "Shaun Edwards (Wales defence coach) spoke earlier this week about how it's not often your first game of your season is possibly your biggest.

"It's a massive opportunity, especially for all us youngsters who haven't played as much. Usually, pre-season games are in front of a few thousand and don't matter much, but this is huge.”

“World Cups are the biggest thing in sport and one at home might not come around again in my career. Everyone has got to grab the opportunity as best they can, and hopefully it will spur the boys on to putting in that extra one or two per cent.”

Reflecting on training stints in Switzerland and Qatar, Amos said: "It has been very tough but everyone got through it and we are definitely stronger for it.”

"There were 15-hour days and it was good to put yourself through it and come through the other side."