HALLAM Amos knows that he has to impress on his Wales return this summer as competition intensifies for back three spots at the World Cup.

The 23-year-old from Cross Ash is set to add to his 15 caps at full-back in the June Test against South Africa in Washington and double-header in Argentina.

The Dragons speedster will get his chance in the absence of rested Lions Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams, returning to international rugby after falling down the pecking order through injury in the Six Nations.

His goal is to make a statement in the countdown to Japan 2019.

Amos featured at the 2015 World Cup when he scored his first Test try against Uruguay in Cardiff only to then suffer a tournament-ending shoulder injury in the famous win against England at Twickenham.

"Going on tour hopefully gives me the chance to stake my claim going into a World Cup year. It's crucial now," said Amos, who enjoyed a superb autumn campaign on the wing last year.

"I can't believe it's been a whole cycle since the last one. I'd never experienced anything like the build-up to 2015 before or had it since, it's bloody hard work.

"But if you want to go far in the World Cup then you have to put in those hours and hopefully I will be in the mix this time next year."

Amos is joined in the touring party by fellow wingers Ashton Hewitt, George North, Steff Evans and Tom Prydie while fly-halves Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Patchell can also slot in 15.

"In the back three there will always be players knocking on the door because it's a position where you are in the spotlight and if you are doing well and scoring tries then the public clamour gets louder and louder," said Amos.

"It's a really competitive position with Josh Adams and Steff coming in and doing well in the Six Nations. Other boys have also been spoken about and Ashton and Jared Rosser did well at the Dragons at the end of the season.

"We are all competitive beasts and I think that it becomes more and more intensified leading up to a World Cup. It's a great environment to be in."

Amos heads on the tour after last wearing the red of Wales in the Commonwealth Games.

Along with fellow full international Justin Tipuric, the Dragons speedster was called up for the sevens tournament on the Gold Coast.

Wales endured a heart-breaking defeat to Fiji that dashed their medal hopes but Amos loved the experience.

"It was awesome," said the winger, who scored a try in the group stages against Uganda. "I hadn't really played 7s before and it was fantastic.

"We were lucky that the sevens was the last event, so we had two weeks soaking up the village life and getting the whole experience.

"And sevens really fine tunes your game – even though I just had three weeks it put my skills under a microscope.

"There is so much space, in attack that's brilliant and so much fun while in defence it's tough going! There are opportunities to run with the ball and use some footwork.

"It was great to go there for some enjoyable rugby after a tough season with the Dragons."