Wales coach Warren Gatland to rest his Lions against Tonga

Wales lock Luke Charteris

Wales coach Warren Gatland says he will rest his British and Irish Lions and make changes to face Tonga in Cardiff.

Wales were comfortable 40-6 winners against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

Gatland, who is without injured centres Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies and Cory Allen, plus prop Adam Jones, says he always planned to make changes.

"The philosophy is always what we planned, and we will make a number of changes," said Gatland.

"We have a six-day turnaround. Probably guys who came off the bench who made a great impact for us [against Argentina] will get a chance to start [against Tonga].

"We will have to see what happens in terms of the knocks and bumps we have got."

Wales came into this autumn campaign without injured British and Irish Lions duo Roberts and Alex Cuthbert.

Gatland lost centre Davies (chest) and prop Jones (calf) in the 15-24 defeat to South Africa, while debutant centre Allen has been ruled out with a dislocated shoulder picked up in the win against Argentina.

Centre Scott Williams also suffered toe ligament damage but says he is hopeful of being fit to face Tonga, while lock Bradley Davies injured his shoulder against the Pumas and is another doubt.

The Wales starting line-up against Argentina featured nine 2013 Lions and Gatland says he intends to rest a few of them.

"Probably three or four key players...players who have had a long summer with the Lions, and we probably need to give them a break next week and freshen them up.

"One so they are fresh for their clubs and hopefully they stay injury-free for us in the Six Nations."

Scarlets prop Rob Evans has been called up to train with the squad.

The 21-year-old featured for Wales Under-20 in the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa and has played 10 times for the Scarlets this season.