Gareth Thomas will captain Wales at the World Cup next month.

Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins has dropped Brent Cockbain from his World Cup plans - and given a surprise call-up to uncapped Gloucester lock Will James.

Gavin Henson has today been named in the Wales squad for their Test matches against Australia on May 26 and June 2.

Ireland internationals Geordan Murphy and Shane Jennings will start for Leicester Tigers against Llanelli Scarlets in the Heineken Cup semi-final at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday.

LIFIEMI MAFI makes his first start for Munster in tomorrow’s Magners League clash with Llanelli Scarlets in Stradey Park (Setanta Sports, 5.35pm).

ULSTER’S stand-in captain and resident hard man Justin Harrison wants the same performance from his players against Llanelli at Stradey Park tonight that they produced in humiliating Toulouse last week.

OSPREYS boss Lyn Jones has predicted “an encounter to remember” when his star-studded Welsh challengers tackle English champions Sale Sharks in a mouth-watering Heineken Cup clash this evening.

PROMISING full-back Danny Riordan — he will be 22 on Monday — has received a timely birthday with his inclusion in the Connacht side to play Edinburgh Gunners in the Magners League at the Sportsground tomorrow night.

COLIN CHARVIS has been dropped by Wales coach Scott Johnson as one of three personnel changes for the final RBS Six Nations Championship clash against France on Saturday.

Wales have dropped flanker Colin Charvis for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship clash against title favourites France in Cardiff.

Gavin Henson named among replacements for Wales’ RBS Six Nations Championship clash with Ireland on Sunday.

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Wales coach Mike Ruddock has made one change to his side for Saturday’s Test against Australia with captain Gareth Thomas reverting to full-back and Matthew Watkins coming into the starting line-up at outside-centre.

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Leinster's Paul Wallace and Christian Warner are injury worries ahead of Saturday's Celtic League trip to Bridgend.

Colin Charvis will captain Wales in Saturday's final Six Nations match of the season against Scotland.

Experienced internationals Gareth Thomas and Colin Charvis have been recalled to the Wales squad for next Saturday’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship clash against England at Twickenham.

Wales have dropped Iestyn Harris for Saturday’s Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship clash against France at the Millennium Stadium.

Wales coach Graham Henry was upbeat after leaving out four top players, including Lion Colin Charvis, for the opening Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship fixture against Ireland in Dublin on February 3.

Teams for Australia versus the Lions, second Test, Colonial Stadium, Melbourne, tomorrow, kick-off 10am (Irish time).

Teams for New South Wales versus the Lions, Sydney Football Stadium, tomorrow, kick-off 10.30am (Irish time).

Mike Catt is out of the Lions tour to Australia and will be replaced by Wales centre Scott Gibbs.

The British and Irish Lions side has been hit by two more injuries ahead of Saturday’s game against the Queensland Reds

Teams for Queensland President’s XV v the Lions, in Townsville, tomorrow, kick-off 10.30am (Irish time).

The Lions squad for the summer tour to Australia has been announced.

Wales have pledged to prepare normally despite their Six Nations’ championship with Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday being under threat from the foot and mouth crisis.

British and Irish Lions chiefs have drawn up a provisional list of 67 players who have been asked to confirm their availability for this summer’s tour to Australia.

Wales coach Graham Henry has made two changes from the side destroyed by England for next Saturday’s Six Nations Championship clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Llanelli fly-half Stephen Jones will wear Wales’ number 15 jersey after coach Graham Henry today took a major selection gamble for the Six Nations Championship opener against England in Cardiff.