WALES defence coach Shaun Edwards has challenged Dragons wing Hallam Amos to show the world champions the strides he has made since locking horns with the All Blacks on home soil in the summer of 2016.

The 23-year-old from Cross Ash is set to win his 14th cap on the right wing against New Zealand after Liam Williams (abdominal injury) and Alex Cuthbert (calf problem) suffered injuries against Georgia that have ended their autumn.

That means that Amos will join forces with Leigh Halfpenny and Steff Evans in the back three to face the All Blacks on Saturday evening, most likely on the right flank despite being a left winger/full-back by choice.

The Dragons man played all three Tests on the tour to face New Zealand in 2016 and went up against World Cup winners Ben Smith and Waisake Naholo.

He was given a tough time in defence but learnt from the experience and heads into this weekend’s clash on the back of tries as a replacement against Australia and as a starter against Georgian.

Edwards said: “If I was Hallam Amos, I would be saying ‘this is what I was like 18 months ago, this is how much I have improved since then’.

“Has he got some improvement to do from that series? Yes, he did some very good things and there are a couple of things he could have slightly done better.

“Hopefully, this time he will show the All Blacks his concentration levels have improved, his tactical understanding has improved etcetera. It’s an exciting time for him.”

Wales have not called up any replacements for Williams and Cuthbert and are unlikely to do so ahead of the autumn finale against South Africa unless any bumps are sustained against New Zealand.

Dragons wing Ashton Hewitt would seem to be next cab on the rank after being called up for last Six Nations only to withdraw because of concussion.

The 23-year-old from Newport is nursing a minor shoulder injury suffered against Northampton but hopes to be passed fit for the Rodney Parade region’s trip to Leinster in the Guinness PRO14 on Friday.

“It is a bit of a test for us,” said Edwards. “It doesn’t come easy for us, does it?

“To lose one player from the back-three is enough, but to lose two. As we always say, we just get on with it, and it’s the next guy up on the roster.

“Steff prefers left (wing), I think, and so does Hallam. But we will work something out. We had (scrum-half) Lloyd Williams on the left wing in the World Cup, and we did okay then, didn’t we?!”

Wales are also denied the services of the Lions’ player of the series Jonathan Davies and are mulling over a recall for Jamie Roberts.

The experienced Harlequins man could wear 13 on his back, joining forces with Owen Williams in midfield to attack from outside centre and defend at inside centre.

Scott Williams got the nod against Georgia but didn’t grasp his chance while Ospreys youngster Owen Watkin the other option.

“If Jamie plays, he would probably defend at 12 and we would swap them round in attack,” said Edwards.

“That would be the plan if Jamie started or if he came on at half-time. I think it’s a lot to ask Jamie to defend at 13.

“He’s such a big man, a huge man, and it would be nice to see him and Sonny Bill having a collision as well.”

Justin Tipuric is available after being out since facing Clermont Auvergne in round one of Europe because of a thigh problem.

Samson Lee (Achilles) is still a major doubt meaning that Tomas Francis is set to start at tighthead prop with Dragons prospect Leon Brown his back-up.