Loose forward Colin Charvis has been appointed captain of the Wales squad for the World Cup in Australia, coach Steve Hansen confirmed today.
Charvis, who has led his country 10 times in 59 internationals and made two test appearances for the British Lions in 2001, will have flanker Martyn Williams, hooker Robin McBryde, flyhalf Stephen Jones and wing Gareth Thomas as squad vice-captains.
The 30-year-old captained the Wales team in their final World Cup warm-up match against Scotland on August 30th, the fourth skipper in as many tests after Williams, Jones and Mefin Davies had led the side.
"I have got the best of both worlds," said Hansen in a Welsh Rugby Union statement. "The team have one person to look at for leadership and a clear direction about who is captain. And I have got the four vice-captains to share his duties, both on and off the field.
"Colin Charvis is a man of great rugby quality, he wants it and feels comfortable doing it.
"He is one of the most experienced members of the squad and in a campaign like the World Cup we want the most experienced person doing the job.
"He is a world class player, his leadership qualities were outstanding ... and everyone is behind him."
Charvis first assumed the captaincy of his country while Scott Quinnell was recovering from injury last year and, when the number eight retired from international stage last November, had the opportunity of consolidating his position.
But he lost the captaincy and his place in the Wales side after the defeat to Italy in the Six Nations in February and since then Hansen has used several different skippers.
Wales are in Pool D for the World Cup, which starts on October 10th, along with New Zealand, Italy, Tonga and Canada.