WALES captain Jamie Roberts has urged Tyler Morgan to grasp his chance to shine against Samoa after the young Dragons centre forced his way back onto the Test scene.

The 21-year-old from Caerleon has been chosen ahead of Scarlets ace Scott Williams for Friday's Test in Apia after missing out on the 23 for last week’s 24-6 win against Tonga.

Morgan will win his fourth cap and appear in international rugby for the first time since partnering Roberts in midfield in the World Cup quarter-final defeat to South Africa at Twickenham.

The Dragons centre burst onto the scene as a teenager and won his first cap against Ireland in the tune-up for England 2015 before facing Fiji and the Springboks after being called up to the squad as injury cover.

He was selected in the Wales midweek side that took on the Chiefs in New Zealand last summer but, despite having a national dual contract, was dropped from the squad for this year’s Six Nations.

However, he got his form back towards the end of a campaign with the Dragons that saw him play in 24 of 32 games then, after being recalled by caretaker head coach Robin McBryde, crossed for a hat-trick in the pre-tour conditioning clash with RGC 1404.

Now he will join forces with Roberts against the formidable Samoan combo of Cardiff Blues’ Rey Lee-Lo and the Ospreys’ Kieron Fonotia.

“I am delighted for Tyler,” said the Harlequins centre to the BBC. “He's a player who came onto the scene quite young and was 19 when he played in that World Cup quarter-final against the Springboks at Twickenham.

“Despite his relative young age he's actually got quite a bit of experience now whether that's at Test level or regional level.

“It's another great opportunity for him. He has trained very well over the last few weeks and played very well up in north Wales.

“He has certainly made an impression in training and is a strong guy, great footwork and is quick, all the attributes to perform at this level. It's a great opportunity and I hope he takes it.”

Wales did a professional job to beat Tonga 24-6 at Eden Park but know they must raise their game for a challenging clash in the heat, humidity and slippery conditions of Apia.

McBryde was already without 12 Lions and a raft of senior players through injury before losing lock Cory Hill, hooker Kristian Dacey, tighthead Tomos Francis and scrum-half Gareth Davies to Warren Gatland’s squad and wing Alex Cuthbert after he suffered a shoulder blow against the Tongans.

Nonetheless, Roberts is eyeing a famous win with his young team.

“The job is only half-done,” he said. “On Saturday we flicked the switch immediately and turned our focus to Friday night.

“We are playing against a Samoa side who are very dangerous, are at home and are a wounded animal.

“They have come off a heavy [78-0] defeat against the All Blacks and are going to be hurting, so we are expecting a huge, huge challenge.”