Cooper is Wales coach Warren Gatland's third choice scrum-half

Gareth Cooper is vowing to take his second Welsh chance on their summer tour to world champions South Africa.

The Gloucester star has been thrown an international lifeline as Wales' top two scrum-halves Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel are out injured.

Cooper is determined their loss is his gain as the 29-year-old rekindles his Wales career under Warren Gatland.

"This opportunity has been a long time in coming but I'm excited about playing the world champions," said Cooper.

Scarlets ace Peel took over from Cooper as number one Welsh scrum-half for the 2005 Grand Slam campaign.

And Ospreys star Phillips' emergence onto the international scene has knocked Cooper down the pecking order.

But Wales' forgotten man is not abut to let his second coming slip in South Africa with Peel and Phillips out with shoulder and cruciate knee ligament injuries respectively.

Cooper knows a few impressive displays in the world champions backyard could remind Wales coach Gatland of his quality.

606: DEBATE Does Cooper have the class to challenge Peel and Phillips?

"I'll give it my best shot," he said.

"I'm determined to show Warren that I've still plenty to offer Wales.

"I never felt out of sight out of mind but I'm glad to get another go in the red jersey.

"Dwayne and Mike are quality scrum-halves but their unfortunate injuries have opened the door for me and I'm going to take it."

Coach Gatland will rely on 35-cap Cooper's international experience to help a depleted Wales team without key players.

The 2008 Grand Slam winners will travel to South Africa for a two-Test tour with Martyn Williams, Lee Byrne, Gavin Henson, Huw Bennett and Alix Popham at home with Peel and Phillips.

Gatland has also included two rookie scrum-halves as uncapped London Irish scrum-half Warren Fury and Dragons player Andy Williams will be considered to face the Springboks.

Cooper has never played in South Africa but the Lions star did admit: "I've only been there on my honeymoon.

"If this trip is as good as the last then I'll come back a happy man."

Wales squad for their summer tour South Africa:
Backs: Morgan Stoddart, Andrew Bishop, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Tom James, Mark Jones, Sonny Parker, Tom Shanklin, Stephen Jones, James Hook, Andy Williams, Warren Fury, Gareth Cooper.

Forwards: Ryan Jones (Captain), Dafydd Jones, Jonathan Thomas, Gareth Delve, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Gough, Duncan Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas, Adam Jones, Matthew Rees.