THE Dragons' Wales contingent have been warned that they need to impress by boss Warren Gatland when they get their chance in Saturday's autumn Test against Tonga, writes Chris Kirwan.

The head coach is set to ring the changes after the nervy 9-6 win against Australia, their seventh successive victory, with five of the six Rodney Parade region's call-ups likely to feature.

Dragons captain and lock Cory Hill will be a leading candidate to deputise for skipper Alun Wyn Jones after doing a fine job on the summer tour while blindside Aaron Wainwright and centre Tyler Morgan will hope for their first action of the autumn.

Tighthead Leon Brown is set to feature after having just two minutes against Scotland at the start of the month and hooker Elliot Dee will share the duties with Ryan Elias.

Of the six Dragons in the squad, only number eight Ross Moriarty is likely to have a breather after a heavy workload in the wins against Scotland and the Wallabies.

"We will make changes for Tonga next week, and the group that played against Australia will work hard on a conditioning week," said Gatland.

"It is always nice to get that win against a southern hemisphere team, so there is a bit of pressure on the guys who will take the field against Tonga."

Gatland left a raft of Lions at home for the summer tour that featured a win against South Africa and a double success against Argentina.

The New Zealander believes he is now able to tinker for the 'weaker' autumn opponent and still get a big performance.

"I think we will make a lot of changes and that is because we feel pretty comfortable with the depth we have created and the competition within the squad," he said.

"We didn't always get that right. When we have made those changes against a tier two nation, the performance has been poor. We have snuck home and won games pretty ugly sometimes.

"We have more strength now and I think the players who take the field will give a great account of themselves."

Everything is being done with the prize of a spot in the 31-man squad for Japan 2019 at the back of players' minds.

"There is some real momentum at the moment, and that is now seven wins in a row," said Gatland.

"There is a lot at stake in the next 10 months in terms of Six Nations and World Cup places. We feel we are in a really good place as a group and really looking forward to the next year."

Wales are scheduled to name their team at midday on Tuesday.