Jones to skipper Wales

Llanelli Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones has been named Wales captain.

Llanelli Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones has been named Wales captain through to next year's World Cup in France.

The 28-year-old Jones has been preferred to former captain Gareth Thomas, who is currently playing his football in Toulouse.

Lions full-back Thomas led Wales in the opening games of last season's Six Nations Championship, but he was then sidelined after suffering a mini stroke. He has since regained full fitness and is back in the Toulouse side.

New Wales coach Gareth Jenkins revealed Ospreys prop Duncan Jones and Cardiff Blues flanker Martyn Williams had also been considered as possible skippers.

Jenkins commented: "I flew out to see Gareth at the weekend and took him through our thoughts on the subject. His reaction was admirable, to say the least.

"It is fair to say that playing his rugby in France did not count in his favour in our decision, but Gareth's point of view was that he holds Stephen in extremely high regard and that he will be on his shoulder supporting him throughout his tenure as captain.

"Gareth will continue to be what he is, and his infectious enthusiasm and leadership qualities will continue to benefit Wales for a long time to come."

Former Llanelli boss Jenkins has worked with Jones at club and regional level and is sure he has chosen the right man.

"Since we brought him to Llanelli as an 18-year-old, there has always been a sense that he was destined to captain his country at some stage," he added. "I just wasn't to know at the time it would be me making the appointment."

Jones' first task will be to steer the 32 man squad through the four-match Invesco Perpetual Series which kicks-off against Australia at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, 4 November.

Scarlets' 22-year-old centre Gavin Evans is the solitary uncapped player in Jenkins' 32-man squad for the autumn Tests. There are recalls for the likes of fit-again 2005 Grand Slam heroes Kevin Morgan, Brent Cockbain, Tom Shanklin and Ryan Jones.

Wales' 32-man squad:
Backs: K Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), L Byrne (Ospreys), M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), S Williams (Ospreys), Gareth Thomas (Toulouse), H Luscombe (Harlequins), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), G Evans (Llanelli Scarlets), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), G Henson (Ospreys), J Hook (Ospreys), S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets, capt), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), M Phillips (Cardiff Blues), G Cooper (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Forwards: G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), A Jones (Ospreys), D Jones (Ospreys), C Horsman (Worcester), R Thomas (Cardiff Blues), H Bennett (Ospreys), M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), B Cockbain (Ospreys), I Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), R Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), A Wyn Jones (Ospreys), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), Gavin Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), J Thomas (Ospreys), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), R Jones (Ospreys).