Wales coach Gareth Jenkins brought in Gareth Thomas at fullback Tuesday and named him captain for the rugby Test against Canada on Friday.
Jenkins had made 14 changes from the team that drew 29-29 with Australia on Nov. 4 when it beat the Pacific Islanders 38-20 Saturday. Wales and Canada are in the same pool at next year's World Cup in France.
Thomas takes over from prop Duncan Jones as stand-in captain with fly half Stephen Jones out with a knee injury. Thomas comes in for Kevin Morgan, James Hook is at fly half ahead of Ceri Sweeney, while Gavin Henson and Tom Shanklin return in the centres.
Canada is expected to announce its lineup on Wednesday.
``Alfie (Gareth Thomas) needs to play, and with Stephen injured he is the ideal person to come in and captain the side as we try to lay down a World Cup marker with Canada,'' Jenkins said.
Jenkins is also concerned about the Nov. 25 match against New Zealand.
``We have selected a side to beat Canada and there are other players in the squad who impressed against the South Sea Islanders who may yet come into the equation this series as the shadow of the New Zealand match looms over us,'' Jenkins said.
