Thomas last led Wales against Scotland in the Six Nations

Wales have moved Gareth Thomas from wing to full-back and handed him the captaincy for Friday's Canada Test.

Skipper Stephen Jones has failed to recover from his knee ligament injury, meaning that James Hook starts at 10.

Mark Jones' outstanding form has won him a place on the wing, Thomas' switch leaving no place for Kevin Morgan.

Duncan Jones, captain in the win over the Pacific Islanders, loses out to Gethin Jenkins in an unchanged pack from the side that drew with Australia.

Interview: Wales coach Gareth Jenkins

Gareth Thomas needs more game time Wales coach Gareth Jenkins

Robert Sidoli, Ceri Sweeney and Sonny Parker take bench spots at the Millennium Stadium, places filled by Gavin Thomas, Hook and Mark Jones against the Wallabies.

Coach Gareth Jenkins has suggested that this side is close to his first-choice team, giving them a chance to settle in ahead of the 25 November Test against New Zealand.

Scrum V: DEBATE I'd be quite happy if that's the team that lines up against New Zealand BB Scrum V: Have your say

He will expect to have Stephen Jones back for that daunting match, the outside-half having returned to full training this week following the injury he suffered against Australia.

Grand Slam-captain Thomas, 32, last led Wales in the 28-18 Six Nations win over Scotland in February.

Hook deputises for Stephen Jones at outside-half

He suffered a career-threatening mini-stroke shortly afterwards, following the stresses of the departure of Mike Ruddock as Wales coach.

Under Jenkins, Thomas lost the captaincy to Stephen Jones, but returned to the team against Australia and took the armband when Jones was injured.

"Gareth needs more game time 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," said Jenkins.

"Mark Jones retains his place on the wing and has another opportunity to show what he can do after having an impressive performance against the Pacific Islanders.

There are other players in the squad who may yet come into the equation against New Zealand Gareth Jenkins

"Ceri Sweeney also went well at fly-half last week, but we felt Hook would benefit from another 80 minutes or so at international level, plus we get another chance to assess how he fits into the set-up.

"We have selected a side to beat Canada and there are other players in the squad who may yet come into the equation as the shadow of the New Zealand match looms over us.

"We had a healthy debate this week about selection and are another step closer to finding the 22 players who will represent Wales against All Blacks."