Williams scored two tries on his return to the Wales team

The Neath-Swansea Ospreys utility back returned to the Wales team, after a long absence, for his country's pre-tournament win over Romania.

His performance caught the eye of the selectors and has resulted in him winning selection as third choice scrum-half, despite winning all of his 11 caps on the wing.

Coach Steve Hansen has also gambled on the fitness of Kevin Morgan.

The full-back has been included despite not playing an international match since injuring knee ligaments in the Six Nations defeat to Scotland in March.

Llanelli Scarlets Chris Wyatt had been left out of the original squad with Hansen preferring to take Celtic Warriors lock Brent Cockbain, who made his debut against Romania.

But Wyatt received a late call-up to the squad after Michael Owen was forced to withdraw because of a back injury five days before the squad left for Australia.

This has been a tough selection process Wales coach Steve Hansen

Hansen said: "Overall, the selection process was a difficult one to go through as, for once, we have more than 30 quality players to choose from.

"But by being allowed to use the games in August for selection purposes, our overall selection has been aided.

"This has been a tough selection process. There has been so much at stake for all the players over the past few weeks, and they have trained exceptionally hard as a group."

Wales are in the same qualifying group as New Zealand, Italy, Canada and Tonga, and are likely to meet England in the quarter-finals if they get that far.

"Our draw in Pool D is perfectly set-up for us," said Hansen.

"We all believe we are good enough to beat Canada, Tonga and Italy, and then go into our final pool game against the All Blacks full of confidence."

Wales' first match is against Canada in Melbourne on Sunday, 12 October.

Wales World Cup squad

Backs: Kevin Morgan (Celtic Warriors), Rhys Williams (Cardiff Blues), Garan Evans (Llanelli Scarlets), Gareth Thomas (Celtic Warriors), Mark Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Mark Taylor (Llanelli Scarlets), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), Sonny Parker (Celtic Warriors), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Ceri Sweeney (Celtic Warriors), Gareth Cooper (Celtic Warriors), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), Shane Williams (Neath-Swansea Ospreys).

Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Celtic Warriors), Iestyn Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), Adam Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Duncan Jones (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Robin McBryde (Llanelli Scarlets), Mefin Davies (Celtic Warriors), Huw Bennett (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Robert Sidoli (Celtic Warriors), Gareth Llewellyn (Neath-Swansea Ospreys), Chris Wyatt (Llanelli Scarlets), Brent Cockbain (Celtic Warriors), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues), Colin Charvis (unattached), Dafydd Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), Alix Popham (Leeds), Jon Thomas (Neath-Swansea Ospreys).