Wales drop Scott Williams to bench for Samoa clash

Wales interim head coach Robin McBryde has made as many as seven changes for the upcoming Test against Samoa scheduled to be played in Apia on Saturday.

Gareth Davies, Kristian Dacey, Tomas Francis and Cory Hill have all be called up for British and Irish Lions commitment with Aled Davies, Ryan Elias, Dillon Lewis and Rory Thornton taking their place in the starting line-up. Apart from Thornton, the other three were among the replacements during Wales' 6-24 win against Tonga.

Cory Allen has earned a promotion from bench and will take the place of injured Alex Cuthbert keeping Ospreys' Keelan Giles on the wait ahead of his much anticipated debut.

Centre Scott Williams is demoted to the bench with Dragons' Tyler Morgan taking his place while Ellis Jenkins will make a direct swap with Thomas Young at number seven as Wales looked to end their summer tour undefeated.

"We've heard throughout the week from local people how much Samoa values Wales as a rugby nation, and there's a weight of history behind that," said interim coach McBryde.

"That said, we've been reinforcing the message to the players that there will be nothing friendly about Friday's match.

"Samoa will be smarting from their outing last Friday night at Eden Park against the All Blacks [where they lost 78-0 to Steve Hansen's side].

"We've got to be braced for a backlash, a partisan crowd, and look to keep building on the good things we showed in our win against Tonga.

"Training has been hard and the players have been extremely focused, knowing they've got one last chance this season to give a good account of themselves for their country."

Wales team to face Samoa:

Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues); Cory Allen (Ospreys), Tyler Morgan (Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins, capt), Steffan Evans (Scarlets); Sam Davies (Ospreys), Aled Davies (Scarlets); Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Blues), Seb Davies (Blues), Rory Thornton (Ospreys), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Ellis Jenkins (Blues), Josh Navidi (Blues).

Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Ospreys), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Thomas Young (Wasps), Tomos Williams (Blues), Owen Williams (Gloucester), Scott Williams (Scarlets).