Robin McBryde reveals a new-look Wales side to play Tonga

Wales have announced their team to play Tonga on Friday early this morning as coach Robin McBryde handed out debut opportunities to Scarlets wing Steff Evans, Cardiff Blues lock Seb Davies and Wasps flanker Thomas Young with a total of nine uncapped players in the team.

The squad also features the experience of captain Jamie Roberts and other senior Wales stars, who were not selected for the Lions duty.

Surprisingly there was no room in the team for Keelan Giles and also there is no second row on the bench.

Friday's match will be the first of a double-header at Eden Park in Auckland, with the All Blacks warming up for the first Lions Test by taking on the Samoans promptly after the Wales game.

Following the game against Tonga, McBryde will takes his Wales squad to Samoa to face them in Apia the following weekend.

“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.

“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 team

Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues); Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (capt, Harlequins), Steffan Evans (Scarlets); Sam Davies (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Nicky Smith (Ospreys) Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets,), Thomas Young (Wasps), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues).

Replacements: Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ollie Griffiths (Newport Gwent Dragons), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Owen Williams (Gloucester), Cory Allen (Ospreys).