CARDIFF - Wales selected Gloucester lock Will James on Friday for the rugby World Cup opening on Sept. 7 at the expense of the experienced Robert Sidoli.
Sidoli joins his grand slam lock partner Brent Cockbain on the sidelines after the latter was omitted from the initial training
squad.
Gareth Thomas, who led Wales to the Six Nations grand slam two years ago, will captain the side.
James, 30, made his international debut in the 62-5 loss to England at Twickenham last Saturday.
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins said in a statement the Plymouth-born lock, who qualifies for Wales through his grandfather, had done enough to impress the selectors.
"Our message to the players has been that they are in this squad because we believe in them, they have all earned their places by right and now have a fantastic opportunity ahead of them," Jenkins said.
Dafydd James, a British Lion in 2001, claimed the third wing berth behind Shane Williams and Mark Jones while Colin Charvis, 34, has been rewarded for his rejuvenated form with a backrow spot alongside Martyn Williams, Jonathan Thomas, Alix Popham and Michael Owen.
Thomas, 33, who is embarking on his fourth World Cup, has been given the captaincy ahead of first five-eighths Stephen Jones who has been struggling with injury problems.
"I have picked my captain based on the need to have a skipper who can fully influence the squad from today," Jenkins said.
"We have our top 30 players and now we need the nation to fall in behind them to give them the best chance of success.
"We are fitter and stronger than we have ever been before and are set to peak our conditioning levels just as the competition starts. There is an exciting mix of experience, energy, professionalism and talent and we believe these are the players that can do Wales proud at the Rugby World Cup.
Wales have further warmup matches against Argentina and France before kicking off their World Cup campaign against Canada in Nantes on Sept. 9. They are grouped with twice champions Australia, Japan and Fiji in Pool B.
- Reuters
