Charvis wins a first Wales call under coach Gareth Jenkins

The in-form Dragons flanker, 34, could add to his 84 caps after being left out of the autumn Tests.

Injuries at hooker mean that Mefin Davies, 34, wins a recall, while 28-year-old Scott Morgan is the only uncapped player in the squad.

Gavin Henson is named as full-back and James Hook as centre with Chris Czekaj, Jamie Robinson and Gareth Delve back.

Michael Owen, Nicky Robinson, Lee Byrne, Dafydd Jones, Mark Jones and Jonathan Thomas are the highest-profile omissions, injury costing the latter four.

Scott Morgan has played himself into contention with some sterling performances for the Blues Wales coach Gareth Jenkins

They could feature later in the tournament, but centre Sonny Parker is expected to miss the entire Six Nations with a groin injury, joining lock Ian Evans (shoulder) on the sidelines.

Charvis, Wales' fourth most-capped player, made his international debut in 1996 and won his last cap in the 18-18 draw with Italy last March.

"Charvis' performances at regional level justify his selection in the light of the injury problems we have in his position," said Wales coach Gareth Jenkins, who is preparing for his first Six Nations.

"His high level of experience is an added bonus and the same applies to Mefin.

"Richard Hibbard and Huw Bennett are two hookers who have only now returned from injury and are in need of game time, but we are fortunate to be in a position to be able to turn to someone of Mefin's level of experience.

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"Scott has played himself into contention with some sterling performances for the Blues as a middle line-out jumper mostly from the number-six position, but our squad make-up means we will be looking for him to give us options at lock.

"The same applies to Alun Wyn Jones, who we will now probably look at exclusively as a second row."

Wales open their Six Nations campaign when they welcome tournament favourites Ireland to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Sunday, 4 February.

"If you'd asked me to pick the first fixture it would have been this one," said Jenkins.

"Ireland are very much the team to beat this year, they will come to us as firm favourites, but that's how you measure yourselves."

Wales' 33-man squad for the RBS Six Nations:

Backs: Kevin Morgan (Dragons), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Chris Czekaj (Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Gareth Thomas (Toulouse), Jamie Robinson (Blues), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Gavin Evans (Scarlets), James Hook (Ospreys), Haldane Luscombe (Harlequins), Stephen Jones (Scarlets, capt), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Dwayne Peel (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Dragons), Michael Phillips (Blues).