NEWPORT Gwent Dragons teenager Hallam Amos will take inspiration from his back three colleagues when he makes his Wales debut against Tonga on Friday, writes Chris Kirwan.

The 19-year-old from Cross Ash in Monmouthshire will slot in alongside British and Irish Lions heroes George North and Leigh Halfpenny at the Millennium Stadium.

The pair may be just 21 and 24 respectively but they are old hands on the Test scene and boast a combined total of 79 caps, 25 tries and 379 points for Wales.

Amos, who has made just 26 Dragons appearances and only turned out five times in the Premiership for Newport and Bedwas, will be looking to take a leaf out of their book.

He said: "George was capped when he was 18 and Leigh was 19 so it does show that players do rise quickly and if have a few good games and keep your name in the mix then anything can happen.

"It's reassuring to know that they are there next to me and it's good to learn from them. They were capped at a very young age as well, they've been through it all before and hopefully I can follow in their footsteps.

"On Friday there will be some younger players in the side with an eye to the future and hopefully I can be a part of that.

"At the beginning of the season I was just looking to carry on from last season and get a few more Dragons games under my belt.

"This is not where I expected to be but it is definitely where I wanted to be and hopefully I can impress."

Former Monmouth School pupil Amos, who is in the first year of a medicine degree at Cardiff University, is expecting to be targeted by the hard-hitting Pacific Islanders.

He said: "My first cap, under the high ball with 15 Tongans running at me will be an experience!

"I'm not worried, it is another level up and the training has been intense but I am enjoying it so much and the boys have helped me settle in.

"My rise has been quite quick but I have enjoyed training and don't feel fazed.

"I wasn't in the squad two weeks ago and I was watching the South Africa game thinking I'd love to be playing; now I am."