James replaces Cockbain in Wales squad

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.

Cockbain started the first Test on the recent tour of Australia but has been axed from Jenkins' 41-man World Cup training squad.

James, who has represented Wales at A level, played for Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership final defeat to Leicester.

"Will is someone we have been keeping an eye on and we felt the time was right for us to have a closer look at him," said Jenkins.

The only other uncapped member of the wider squad is Cardiff winger Tom James, who did not feature on the Australia tour after receiving a late call-up but impressed Jenkins in training.

Llanelli Scarlets pair Gavin Evans (shoulder) and Dafydd James (knee) plus Newport Gwent Dragons prop Rhys Thomas (ankle) are all included after recent injuries.

"There are players in this squad who have forced themselves into contention after stepping up to the task presented to them in Australia and there are a couple of people who still need the opportunity to show us what they have to offer," said Jenkins.

"We will be fine-tuning our selection over the coming weeks and are confident we have the breadth of talent and ability within this squad to come out with a team to be competitive against any World Cup opponent."

Wales face England at Twickenham on August 4 before Jenkins has to finalise his World Cup 30 on August 14.

"The summer tour to Australia then allowed a third group of players to stake their claims for selection resulting in some tough decisions for us to make as a management group and some even tougher calls to come," he said.

"But these are the kinds of selection dilemmas you need as a coach and we are in exactly the position we set out to achieve at the start of it all - with strength in depth and excellent competition for places.

"I've no doubt that trimming this group of players down to a 30-man Rugby World Cup squad will be the hardest selection decision I've ever had to make as a coach - but it's a challenge I relish."

Wales World Cup training squad:

Backs: A Brew (Ospreys), L Byrne (Ospreys), G Cooper (Gloucester), G Evans (Llanelli Scarlets), G Henson (Ospreys), J Hook (Ospreys), D James (Llanelli Scarlets), T James (Cardiff Blues), M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), K Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Parker (Ospreys), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), M Phillips (Ospreys), J Robinson (Cardiff Blues), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), G Thomas (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys).

Forwards: H Bennett (Ospreys), C Charvis (Newport Gwent Dragons), I Evans (Ospreys), I Gough (Ospreys), R Hibbard (Ospreys), C Horsman (Worcester), W James (Gloucester), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), A Jones (Ospreys), D Jones (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys), M Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), R Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), GM Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), I Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), J Thomas (Ospreys), R Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), TR Thomas (Cardiff Blues), M Williams (Cardiff Blues).