TOBY Faletau’s first experience of Test rugby at the Millennium Stadium was when he was an unused replacement in the demoralising draw against Fiji in 2010 while Andrew Coombs’ was last season’s Six Nations defeat to Ireland.
Their Newport Gwent Dragons teammate Hallam Amos will have far happier memories of his introduction to the Test scene.
The teenage wing/full-back lined up for Wales against Tonga and enjoyed a winning debut.
With Faletau rested against the land of his birth and Coombs a late withdrawal because of a back injury it was up to Amos to represent Gwent.
And the 19-year-old can be proud of his efforts.
Amos famously scored on his Dragons debut against Wasps at the age of just 17 and he was millimetres away from repeating the trick on his Test bow.
His left boot brushed the whitewash before he went over in the 47th minute; it was so close to being a smart finish down the left flank.
It was a calculated gamble to start with the teenager by Wales boss Warren Gatland, who has shown that he is not averse to flinging in a youngster.
Amos is raw with just five Premiership games and 26 regional appearances under his belt but he is a cool customer; confident in his own ability but not arrogant.
The former Monmouth School head boy and first-year medical student would be the first to state that he has plenty of learning to do on the field.
And will do that at Rodney Parade with a spring in his step after a hugely beneficial spell in Wales camp.
In the build-up to his debut the young speedster had predicted that he would be targeted on his Test bow.
“My first cap, under the high ball with 15 Tongans running down on me will be an experience!”
That never really materialised but nor did Amos find the physicality of Test rugby too much at his tender age.
And he grew into the game, showing glimpses of his exciting talent with the odd (understandable) naive mistake.
Amos’ back three partners were Lions heroes George North and Leigh Halfpenny, two players that boast a wealth of international experience after making their debuts as teenagers.
After getting a taste of action at the Millennium Stadium the classy Dragons youngster will be determined to become a firm fixture alongside them in the Wales squad.
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