Blog Banner

Dillon Lewis to make first Wales start

21st June 2017


Dillon Lewis will make his first start for Wales when they take on Samoa in Apia Park on Friday (7.30am BST).

The Cardiff Blues tight-head prop, who spent much of the season sidelined with injury, made his international debut in last Friday’s victory over Tonga.

Now he is one of five Cardiff Blues in the starting line-up, with Tomos Williams set for his debut from the bench.

"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," says McBryde, referencing the groundbreaking matches between the two countries in the late eighties. "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 team to face Samoa

15 Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues, 10 caps)
14 Cory Allen (Ospreys, 5)
13 Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons, 4 caps)
12 Jamie Roberts (c) (Harlequins, 92 caps)
11 Steffan Evans (Scarlets, 1 cap)
10 Sam Davies (Ospreys, 7)
9 Aled Davies (Scarlets, 1 cap)
1 Nicky Smith (Ospreys, 13 caps)
2 Ryan Elias (Scarlets, 1 cap)
3 Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues, 1 cap)
4 Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues, 1 cap)
5 Rory Thornton (Ospreys, uncapped)
6 Aaron Shingler (Scarlets, 9 caps)
7 Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues, 4 caps)
8 Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues, 2 caps)

Replacements

16 Scott Baldwin (Ospreys, 33 caps)
17 Wyn Jones (Scarlets, 1 cap)
18 Rhodri Jones (Ospreys, 14 caps)
19 Adam Beard (Ospreys, uncapped)
20 Thomas Young (Wasps, 1 cap)
21 Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues, uncapped)
22 Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
23 Scott Williams (Scarlets, 47 caps)