Snow has played in Canada's last 10 World Cup games

Newport legend Snow was not in Canada's preliminary 32-man squad, but he made the final 30 and started with Thiel in Saturday's 42-12 win over Portugal.

Luke Tait and Jamie Cudmore also have Welsh links, as does 51-cap scrum-half Morgan Williams, Canada's Cup captain.

Canada's campaign begins against Wales in Nantes on 9 September, Australia, Fiji and Japan also in their group.

Cornish Pirates flanker Stan McKeen has been ruled out by injury, while fly-half Nathan Hirayama is also omitted.

The experience blend ranges from 37-year-old Snow to 20-year-old centre Nick Trenkel, the only uncapped player.

It's like back to the future having Snow and Thiel in the front row Canada coach Ric Suggitt

Snow and 34-year-old Stade Francais lock Mike James will be attending their fourth World Cups, with Snow having played in every one of Canada's 10 games in their last three campaigns.

"It's like back to the future having Snow and Thiel in the front row," said Canada coach Ric Suggitt.

Former Bridgend man Thiel, 32, underwent open heart surgery 14 months ago.

Canada have been playing a series of coast-to-coast fixtures against club sides at home, culminating in a match against Newfoundland Rock in St. John's on Saturday.

They leave for France on 1 September.

Canada's World Cup squad: David Biddle (back-row, Meraloma), Mike Burak (lock, Pau), Aaron Carpenter (hooker, Brantford / Thunder), Jamie Cudmore (lock, Clermont-Auvergne), Craig Culpan (centre, Meraloma), Derek Daypuck (fly-half, Castaway-Wanderers / Fire), Ed Fairhurst (scrum-half, Cornish Pirates), Scott Franklin (prop, Castaway-Wanderers), Mike James (lock, Stade Francais), Adam Kleeberger (back-row, University of Victoria), Justin Mensah-Coker (wing, Albi), Ander Monro (fly-half, Waterloo), Dan Pletch (prop, Oakville Crusaders / Thunder), Mike Pletch (prop, Oakville Crusaders / Thunder), James Pritchard (wing, Bedford), Mike Pyke (full-back, Montauban), Pat Riordan (hooker, Burnaby Lake), Ryan Smith (fly-half, Montauban), Rod Snow (prop, St John's Dogs / Rock), David Spicer (centre, BC University of Victoria), Sean-Michael Stephen (back-row, Beziers), Luke Tait (lock, Overmach Parma), Jon Thiel (prop, Bayside), Kevin Tkachuk (prop, Glasgow), Nick Trenkel (centre, Capilano), DTH Van der Merwe (full-back, James Bay AA), Mike Webb (back-row, Vancouver Rowing Club / Rock), Matt Weingart (scrum-half, Castaway-Wanderers), Morgan Williams (scrum-half, capt, Albi), Colin Yukes (back-row, Agen)