HALLAM Amos has been announced in the starting line-up for Wales’ test against Ireland on Saturday

8th August.

Playing in Wales’ first World Cup warm up game in Cardiff this weekend, Amos takes the reins from star Leigh Halfpenny in the full-back spot in a squad that blends experience and youthful promise.

Holding one cap already, Amos will add to that in the test against Ireland and will look to cement his name in Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland’s squad for the World Cup, which starts on Friday 18th September.

Amos has been with the 47-man Wales training squad since it met up on Wednesday 1st July. Since then, he has travelled out to Switzerland, Doha and North Wales with the group, taking part in the bespoke training camps with the group.

The squad has lost one man through injury and will be whittled down to the final 31 players for the World Cup on Monday 31st August.

Amos, a versatile back who can play at full-back or on the wing, will look to impress the Wales coaching staff against Ireland in the hope that he will feature on that list of 31 names.

The Old Monmothian will line-up behind the likes of uncapped fellow Newport Gwent Dragons team-mate Tyler Morgan, who will play at centre, and the experienced James Hook and Justin Tipuric in an experimental squad.

After intense training camps in Switzerland and Doha, Gatland is looking forward to seeing his side take to the field on Saturday and grasping their opportunity.

“Saturday is a real opportunity for these players to put their hand up,” he said.

“We have been really impressed over the last few weeks, we have put the players under a lot of pressure and they have responded really well.

“Today is their opportunity to show what they can do on the international stage.

“We have the right blend of youth and experience and it’s all about grasping the chance at this level.

“It’s going to be a huge occasion, Ireland coming to town, a packed Millennium Stadium and players with everything to play for.”