Tonga rugby coach Toutai Kefu says this month's Northern Hemisphere tour is a chance for fringe players to force their way into World Cup consideration.
The 'Ikale Tahi take on the French Barbarians in Bordeaux this weekend before tests against Wales and Georgia.
Toutai Kefu said he already knows the bulk of what his 2019 World Cup squad will look like so the next few weeks are a chance for others to press their claims.
"We've got a group of players that we know that we'll take to the World Cup next year and we might look to rest some of those, depending on our squad, but first and foremost we want to win and we want to play well - that's the most important thing," he said.
"If we get an opportunity to rest some of the older players we may do that and give some of the younger players a go.
"I'd like to see Leon Fukofuka play a lot more - he hasn't had much experience at this level so the more we can play him the better it is for us in the long run."
Lock and midfield are other areas where the 'Ikale Tahi are hoping to develop more depth.
Toutai Kefu said Steve Mafi and Leva Fifita have developed a strong pairing but with 30-test veteran Joe Tu'ineau having just turned 37 their second-row stocks are also in need of replenishing.
"He's still in our plans for next year but he's getting a bit long in the tooth old Joe and he's been around for a while but that's what makes his important as well, his experience is fantastic," he said.
"He's just coming back from injury so we've let him play with his club - he's actually just moved to a new club as well but Steve's been the backbone of the forward pack for a long time and Leva Fifita's been coming along really well over the last couple of years so you would think those two would be our starting locks.
"We've also got Sam Lousi from the Hurricanes to hopefully commit next year and (Blues utility) Jimmy Tupou is just coming back from injury...so they're on the radar as well."
Twenty-two-year-old Hawkes Bay lock Sam Ulufonua is another looking to make his mark in his first tour with the team.
"He's turned us down a couple of times just due to some family reasons but he's finally committed," Kefu said.
"He did in ok in the Mitre 10 Cup (in New Zealand) - he got some regular game-time. He still needs a few things to work on but...we don't have many second rowers and locks around so it's an opportunity for him to stake a claim for next year."