Cockbain says he does not begrudge his Wales snub

"I've still got the drive and ambition to play for Wales and if given the opportunity I will definitely take it," the 32-year-old told BBC Sport Wales.

"I don't begrudge my Wales omission, it's down to me. I haven't been as consistent as I wanted since my leg injury and the guys there deserve it."

Uncapped Gloucester lock Will James, 29, took Cockbain's squad place.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on Cockbain

The 41-man party for summer training and the game with England on 4 August will be cut to 30 by 14 August.

"We have concerns about our line-out, and we're looking for different qualities - dynamic ball carriers and players who can be aggressive defensively are to the fore," said Wales coach Gareth Jenkins.

"Brent has arguably not developed back to the form he showed in the 2005 Grand Slam. He's not playing badly, but maybe it's time to look at other options."

I'll use the likes of Colin Charvis and Gareth Llewellyn as inspiration, they came back after long spells out Brent Cockbain

Queenslander Cockbain, who qualifies for Wales by residency, was a surprise inclusion in the squad ahead of the 2003 World Cup in Australia.

He added an abrasive edge to the Welsh pack and was a key member of the 2005 Grand Slam team.

Having made the summer's Lions tour as a replacement, he ripped a hamstring muscle from his bone while playing Fiji in the autumn and has struggled to reclaim his place since.

He started the first Test in Australia last month, but a head injury early in the first half ended his participation.

"I've played very well in certain games, like the EDF Energy Cup semi-final against the Blues, but I haven't put together a consistent run," said Cockbain.

If anyone can take the World Cup chance this time I'm sure it's Will and I wish him all the best Brent Cockbain on Will James

"Gareth Jenkins has said that the World Cup door isn't closed and you never know what will happen with injuries.

"I'll go back to the Ospreys for pre-season training with all the pressure off me and will try to raise my game back to where it was before the injury.

"If you look at the way the professional game is going there are a lot of old heads still playing, people like Gareth Llewellyn, Gareth Thomas, Colin Charvis and Martyn Williams.

"I'm not ready to go yet and I'll use the likes of Colin and Gareth [Llewellyn] as inspiration, they came back after long spells out of the Wales set-up."

Cockbain offered words of encouragement to Wales new boy James, who he played with for two seasons at Pontypridd.

"I was very impressed with him as an athlete at Ponty, but he didn't get the chances then and I'm sure he'll have developed as a player since," said Cockbain.

"Before the last World Cup I was a surprise selection and so was Shane Williams. If anyone can take the chance this time I'm sure it's Will and I wish him all the best."