Monmouth rugby star Hallam Amos made his debut for Wales in last Friday's (22nd November) victory over Tonga.

The 19-year-old, from Cross Ash, started on the wing in the gritty encounter, which Wales won 17-7 thanks to tries by Owen Williams and Ashley Beck, and two penalties and a conversion from Leigh Halfpenny.

Amos was inches away from scoring on his debut, but his foot brushed the touchline as he dived for the left corner.

Impressive performances for Newport Gwent Dragons and Wales' junior teams earned Amos his chance in the senior side.

Away from the rugby pitch, he is studying medicine at Cardiff University after leaving Monmouth School in the summer with three A*s and an A at A-level.

"We are very pleased and very proud of him," said Monmouth School headteacher Dr Steven Connors.

"Hallam was a professional during his time at sixth form after signing for the Newport Gwent Dragons and has done well for his club for a number of years.

"He is a big strong, intelligent lad with lots of pace. He has the skill to beat defenders and can tackle, too."

John Bevan, the former Wales and British and Irish Lions international, is now head of rugby at Monmouth School.

He told the Western Mail that Amos could do anything.

"If he decided to take up ping pong he would be playing for Great Britain," said Bevan.

"He's a very talented boy and a modest boy as well.

"A lot of people think they have got to go to some sort of rugby academy and that it's the be all and end all.

"It's nice to see lads get their life in order and say: 'look, I'm going to balance my life between work and rugby' whether it's academic work or an apprenticeship or whatever.

"He isn't going to be shouting, swearing and stamping up and down. He looks cool, calm and collected but there's definitely a competitive streak inside him.

"You can't put in what God left out. A lot of boys show talent when they are 12, which Hallam did.

"Some of them peak and that's as good as they are going to get.

"Hallam had something else as well. He was an unselfish player as well as being a match-winner."