Gareth Thomas will captain Wales against Ireland on Saturday

Wales launch their four-game programme against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, and then face appointments with England, Romania and Scotland, all during a 14-day spell.

While coach Hansen's mind is probably settled on the majority of his 30-man World Cup squad, there are still probably a handful of places to be decided.

Test debutants Nicky Robinson and Rhys Oakley have a chance to show what they can do at Lansdowne Road, while four other international rookies - Huw Bennett, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Andy Williams and Nathan Brew - will feature on the bench.

Other World Cup hopefuls will gain an opportunity during the three remaining matches before Hansen announces his final squad for Wales' World Cup campaign, which begins against Canada in Melbourne on 12 October.

Wales blood new faces

"From a selection viewpoint, these games give us a great chance to look at players in the Test arena," Hansen said.

"We've got four sides on paper for the games and we've got a fairly good idea of who will play when.

"We must take the opportunity to give the guys who went on tour to Australia and New Zealand this summer a bit of a break.

"But at the same time it gives us an opportunity to try some other players.

We've got four sides on paper for the games Wales coach Steve Hansen

"Most of the guys will get a full 80 minutes, but I don't think that these games are about results.

"It's about what individuals and the team do - some guys might write themselves off, while others will step up to the plate."

One player who could cement his World Cup place on Saturday is Cardiff Blues' former rugby league star Iestyn Harris.

The former Great Britain star has been handed a starting place in midfield alongside Jamie Robinson, and inside centre now probably holds the key to Harris' international future.

Fly-half and full-back are also positions that have been flirted with since Harris switched codes almost two years ago.

While such versatility makes him a potentially priceless World Cup asset, Harris can at last focus on one major role.

"When you look at the players we have available, then Iestyn and Sonny Parker are the key to our inside centre position," Hansen added.

"Iestyn has been on the scene for about 18 months now, and it's time he is given the opportunity to settle and get on with the job."

Ireland squad: Forwards: Simon Best (Ulster & Belfast Harlequins), Shane Byrne (Leinster & Blackrock College), Reggie Corrigan (Leinster & Greystones), Victor Costello (Leinster & St. Mary's College), Justin Fitzpatrick (Castres), Anthony Foley (Munster & Shannon), Keith Gleeson (Leinster & St. Mary's College), Donnacha O'Callaghan (Munster & Cork Constitution), Paul O'Connell (Munster & Young Munsters), Malcolm O'Kelly (Leinster & St. Mary's College), David Wallace (Munster & Garryowen), Keith Wood.
Backs: Paul Burke (Harlequins), Girvan Dempsey (Leinster & Terenure College), Guy Easterby (Rotherham), Anthony Horgan (Munster & Cork Constitution), Shane Horgan (Leinster & Lansdowne), David Humphreys (Ulster & Dungannon), Kevin Maggs (Bath), Geordan Murphy (Leicester), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster & Blackrock College), Peter Stringer (Munster & Shannon).

Wales: Nicky Robinson (Cardiff Blues); Garan Evans (Llanelli Scarlets), Jamie Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff Blues), Gareth Thomas (Celtic Warriors, capt); Ceri Sweeney (Celtic Warriors), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); Duncan Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Mefin Davies (Celtic Warriors), Ben Evans (Cardiff Blues), Michael Owen (Gwent Dragons), Gareth Llewellyn (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Rhys Oakley (Gwent Dragons), Richard Parks (Celtic Warriors), Alix Popham (Leeds Tykes).
Replacements: Huw Bennett (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Celtic Warriors), Vernon Cooper (Llanelli Scarlets), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Cardiff Blues), Andy Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Andy Marinos (Gwent Dragons), Nathan Brew (Gwent Dragons).