All change forWales as Thornton makes bow
RORY Thornton will make his Test debut for Wales in Friday’s clash with Samoa at Apia Park (7.30amBST).
The 22-year-old former Wales Under-20 captain and Ospreys product is one of seven changes from the starting line-up that beat Tonga in Auckland last Friday.
Aled Davies makes his first international start at scrum-half and Tyler Morgan lines up at outside-centre, while Cory Allen, normally a midfielder, is named out of position on the right wing.
His selection out deepens the mystery of what’s happened to audacious wing talent Keelan Giles, with the Ospreys finisher having seemingly slipped off the radar.
Two of last week’s debutants off the bench, hooker Ryan Eliand tight-head prop Dillon Lewis, also make their first starts, with openside flanker Ellis Jenkins another player to be promoted.
Two uncapped players are named among the substitutes in Cardiff Blues scrum-half Tomos Williams and Ospreys lock Adam Beard.
Should both make it on to the field against Samoa, that would take the new caps on Wales’ summer tour to 12.
“We’ve heard throughout the week from local people how much Samoa values Wales as a rugby nation, and there’s a weight of history behind that,” said Wales caretaker coach Robin McBryde.
“That said, we’ve been reinforcing the message to the players that there will be nothing friendly about Friday’s match.
“Samoa will be smarting from their outing last Friday night at Eden Park against the All Blacks. We’ve got to be braced for a backlash, a partisan crowd, and look to keep building on the good things we showed in our win against Tonga.
“Training has been hard and the players have been extremely focused, knowing they’ve got one last chance this season to give a good account of themselves for their country.”
Wales are without the four players – Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Tomas Francis and Gareth Davies – who were called up by Lions boss Warren Gatland following the Welsh Test with Tonga. Wales: G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), C Allen (Ospreys), T Morgan (Dragons), J Roberts (capt, Harlequins), S Evans (Scarlets); S Davies (Ospreys), A Davies (Scarlets); N Smith (Ospreys), R Elias (Scarlets), D Lewis (Cardiff Blues), S Davies (Cardiff Blues), R Thornton (Ospreys), A Shingler (Scarlets), J avidi (Cardiff Blues), E Jenkins (Cardiff Blues). Reps: S Baldwin (Ospreys), W Jones (Scarlets), R Jones (Ospreys), A Beard (Ospreys), T Young (Wasps), T Williams (Cardiff Blues), O Williams (Gloucester), S Williams (Scarlets).