WALES coach Robin McBryde is backing Newport Gwent Dragons' promising 19-year-old utility back Hallam Amos to shine when he makes his international debut on the wing in Friday night's clash with Tonga.

Medical student Amos is one of two Dragons in the starting XV, with the region’s captain Andrew Coombs selected on the blindside.

English-born Amos made a try-scoring debut at full-back for the Rodney Parade side away against Wasps in their LV= Cup triumph in October 2011, just 28 days after his 17th birthday while he was a pupil at the independent Monmouth School.

Among the famous institution’s other notable rugby alumni are another teenage prodigy in Newport and Wales star Keith Jarrett, who enjoyed a dream first cap against England in 1967 at the age of 18, as well as national captain and number eight Eddie Butler.

The Dragons earmarked Amos as a player with enormous potential and he was an important member of the Wales Under-20s side which finished runners-up to England at this year’s International Rugby Board Junior World Championship in France, playing on the wing.

Wales forwards coach McBryde said of Amos' debut: “It’s a great opportunity for Hallam and he’ll have Leigh Halfpenny and George North alongside him and it’s all about getting out there and showing what he can do.

“He’s shown glimpses of that at regional level, he’s a great runner with ball in hand and he will be tested.

“It’s good we’ve got the experience there to help him in that regard. Undoubtedly he’s got the potential.

“It’s about delivering on Friday night and I’m really looking forward to watching him.”

Late bloomer Coombs greatly impressed after making his Test debut in the Six Nations last season during Wales’ successful defence of their title.

All of his six caps so far have been in the second row, the 29-year-old making his first start as a blindside flanker for two years.

Wales make 11 changes from the starting XV which posted a record victory over Rugby Championship basement boys Argentina with a 40-6 win in Cardiff on Saturday.

James Hook makes his first start at outside-half since the 2011 World Cup as the hosts look to maintain their momentum against Tonga at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night with Australia to come in their last encounter of 2013 on November 30.

Scarlets utility back Jordan Williams is called into the squad and is set to win his first cap from the bench as is his regional teammate, scrum-half Rhodri Williams who is also among the replacements.

Wales: L Halfpenny, G North, O Williams, A Beck, H Amos, J Hook, L Williams, P James, K Owens, Rhodri Jones, L Charteris, I Evans, A Coombs, J Tipuric, Ryan Jones (capt).
Replacements: E Phillips, R Bevington, S Lee, D Lydiate, S Warburton, R Williams, R Priestland, J Williams.