GWENT pair Ian Gough and Iestyn Thomas are set to start for Wales as they attempt to rebuild against Tonga at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday following disastrous defeats by Ireland and Argentina.

Newport lock Gough is being fast tracked back into the Welsh team without playing a full game for his club this season.

He damaged his shoulder playing for Newport in the Principality Cup final in May and only returned last month. But his three appearances for Newport were all as a second-half replacement.

He started for Wales A against Argentina last week and played until the last few minutes when he went off with a slight calf strain.

Now he is set for a Wales return and his 15th cap. Thomas is due to come in at loose head prop for his eighth cap after being a second-half replacement against Argentina.

The durable Ebbw Vale player is the change in personnel in the front row after the retirement of skipper David Young, with Darren Morris switching to tight head. Wales are expected to make a total of eight changes, four positional, in the side to face Tonga.

The changes in personnel, apart from Gough and Thomas, involve the return of Allan Bateman at outside centre for his 34th cap and the recall of Brett Sinkinson at openside flanker for Gavin Thomas.

Bateman is two years older than Young at 36, but his experience is seen as vital, particularly if Iestyn Harris switches to inside centre with Stephen Jones moving back to outside half.

The experiment of bringing Harris in at number 10 for his union international debut against Argentina was not a success and he could now exchange positions with Jones. Gareth Thomas, outside centre against Argentina, is likely to move to the right wing in a third positional change among the backs.

Scott Quinnell is due to take over the captaincy from Young, though there is still a concern that he has not fully recovered from his knee injury.

Wales (possible): K Morgan (Swansea), G Thomas (Bridgend), A Bateman (Neath), I Harris, A Sullivan (Cardiff), S Jones (Llanelli), R Howley (Cardiff), I Thomas (Ebbw Vale), R McBryde (Llanelli), D Morris (Swansea), I Gough (Newport), A Moore, C Charvis (Swansea), S Quinnell (captain), B Sinkinson (Neath).

*PICTURED: Newport's Ian Gough (right) and Ebbw Vale's Iestyn Thomas are both set to be recalled by Wales.

Please select next story:Gwent pair in call-upHarris in fury after defeatForget calls for Henry's headScott to succeed the good Dai YoungCounty dumpedHayward staying'Stop blaming one another'Phil's out to scout Down Under