Francis starts against Tonga

By Mark Stevens
14/6/17

Exeter Chiefs prop Tomas Francis has been named in the Welsh starting line-up for Saturday's summer test encounter against Tonga at Eden Park.

The imposing tight-head - who last month helped the Chiefs to lift the Aviva Premiership title for the first time in the club's history - will win his 23rd international cap, lining up alongside Nicky Smith and Kristian Dacey in the front-row.

Francis will be seen as one of the senior stars on the tour as many of Wales' frontline performers are also in New Zealand featuring for the British & Irish Lions. Coaches Warren Gatland and Rob Howley are also missing out due to Lions commitments, so Robin McBryde has been entrusted with leading the Principality in fixtures against Tonga and Samoa.

Three of head coach Robin McBryde's nine debutants will start, including last season's Guinness Pro12 top try-scorer Steffan Evans, who lines up on the left wing. Former Wales U20 forward Seb Davies will feature at lock, while European Player of the Year nominee Thomas Young packs down on the openside.

And McBryde is taking the opportunity to look at a number of Wales' rising stars, nine of whom have been included in the match-day squad for the first time. Three will go from the outset on Saturday with last season's Guinness Pro12 top try-scorer Steffan Evans starting on the left wing; Seb Davies will feature at lock; while European Player of the Year nominee Thomas Young packs down on the openside.

The game is part of the Pasifika Challenge double-header, which will see the All Blacks take on Samoa following the conclusion of Tonga v Wales. The large Tongan population in Auckland is set to make the iconic Eden Park a home from home for head coach and 1999 World Cup-winning Wallaby Toutai Kefu's team.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our players to be taking part in this match at Eden Park, and we expect them to make the most of it," says McBryde, whose team has been based in Takapuna on Auckland's North Shore. "We've got an average age of 25 in the match squad, but there are experienced heads in there. We'll need them all to be on top form against what will undoubtedly be a passionate, tough Tongan team.

"We've had a very good week in Auckland. The younger players have gained a valuable insight into what is expected of an international rugby player, with much of that being led by the senior players' example. That learning process will continue this Friday in Eden Park, and again when we head to Samoa for next Friday's Test match in Apia."

Wales team to face Tonga

15 Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues, 9 caps)
14 Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues, 46 caps)
13 Scott Williams (Scarlets, 46 caps)
12 Jamie Roberts (Harlequins, 94 caps, capt)
11 Steffan Evans (Scarlets, uncapped)
10 Sam Davies (Ospreys, 6 caps)
9 Gareth Davies (Scarlets, 24 caps)
1 Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 12 caps)
2 Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues, 3 caps)
3 Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
4 Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues, uncapped)
5 Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons, 5 caps)
6 Aaron Shingler (Scarlets, 8 caps)
7 Thomas Young (Wasps, uncapped)
8 Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues, 1 cap)

Replacements

16 Ryan Elias (Scarlets, uncapped)
17 Wyn Jones (Scarlets, uncapped)
18 Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues, uncapped)
19 Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, 3 caps)
20 Ollie Griffiths (Newport Gwent Dragons, uncapped)
21 Aled Davies (Scarlets, uncapped)
22 Owen Williams (Gloucester, uncapped)
23 Cory Allen (Ospreys, 4 caps)

Tonga v Wales will be shown live on S4C from 06:15 BST