'GIVE me a run in the Welsh team' is Ebbw Vale prop Iestyn Thomas' plea now that skipper David Young has quit international rugby.

Thomas, pictured, was a second half replacement against Argentina last week, replacing Darren Morris, but has been in and out of the side since he made his debut against Samoa a year ago.

He went on the summer tour to Japan and he earns his ninth cap against Tonga tomorrow at the Millennium Stadium.

But Wales coach Graham Henry's preferred pair at prop have still been British Lions pair Morris and Young.

With Young retired from the international scene and Morris switching from loose head to his original position at tight head, there is a real opportunity for Thomas.

"This is my big chance now," admitted Thomas. "If I can have a big game against Tonga I hope to figure in the Australia game.

"I hope to repay Graham for the faith he's had in me. I've enjoyed my games this season and things are going well for me now.

"With Darren at tight head it would be nice to have a run of games and hopefully I can.

"It would be good to have the same unit now and mature into the role."

Thomas also warns Tonga of a backlash from Wales after their disastrous defeats against Ireland and Argentina.

"The boys are out to prove a point because things haven't gone well. We need a big performance to get things back on track and I'm hoping there will be a backlash.

"I know there's been criticism of the Welsh team this week, but it's part of the job and it goes with the territory. We've just got to get on with the job now.

"But Tonga are very big tacklers and we've been working on putting them under pressure and then getting the ball among our backs.

"We've got to do the basics well like the scrum and the driving line-outs, then play quite wide."

Thomas says the reaction from the people in charge this week has been to scale the training down a bit, though still making sessions intense.

"Things were very down at the beginning of the week," he admitted. "We had been looking for a big performance, but things didn't go our way.

"We've been rebuilding this week and training has been slightly lighter. Some of the boys were tired last week, but everyone is a lot fresher now with more enthusiasm.

"The sessions have been cut short but have still been of high intensity, giving some players a bit more rest."

Tonga include four Welsh-based players in their side -- Neath wing David Tiueti, Bridgend and former Ebbw Vale player Josh Taumalolo, playing in the centre, Swansea scrum half Sililo Martens and Caerphilly full back Taunoholo Taufahema.

Two more, Llanelli's Salesi Finau and Bridgend back row forward Maama Molitika, are ruled out by injury.

Tonga: T Taufahema, D Tiueti, S Taumalolo, G Leger, E Tainone, P Hola, S Martens, J Pale, V Ma'asi, T Taumoepeau, F Fakongo, V Vaki, N Naufahu, I Afeaki (captain), M Te Pou.