Louise Rickard has won a world record 110 international caps

Wales Women's coach Jason Lewis has given the nation's most-capped player, Louise Rickard, the chance to move from wing to lock at the 2010 World Cup.

Rickard, 39, has made the most of her world record 110 appearances as a wing and also played at full-back.

But the Warrington-born veteran, who plays for local team Woodbridge Amazons in Suffolk has secured one of three remaining Wales places as a lock.

"It was a total shock when Jason rang to let me know," said Rickard

"I wasn't expecting the squad to be finalised until a couple more weeks so it came out of the blue.

"I didn't really know if I would make it - the other times I suppose you take it for granted that you are going to be in the team, but when you are right on the edge it means that much more to you."

Coach Lewis included Rickard in a finalised his 26-strong squad having originally named 23 players and left three open.

But Alex Stokes has been withdrawn, opening the way for a fourth player to complete the squad.

Bath prop Caryl Thomas, Dolgellau centre Elen Evans and Loughborough full-back Elinor Snowsill join Rickard in being included for a tough group boasting world champions New Zealand, Sevens champions Australia and South Africa.

Lewis said: "We named 23 to start with, but it was always going to be the fact that there were 23 at that point of time who earned the right to go.

Going into the World Cup, we're underdogs. If you go online or read any press releases, Wales is always mentioned as the last name in the pool Wales Women's coach Jason Lewis

"But the squad knew if people weren't performing there was always the opportunity to change players and put others in.

"Now's the time where we've got to pick 26 and one player [Stokes] hasn't quite made the progress due to injury.

"As a result, we've left her out of the squad and four others will now come into the squad of 22 to make the final squad of 26.

"I'm really happy with the squad that we've got. I know it is a cliché but it is a real mixture of youth and experience.

"I think some of the young players who have come in have added some vibrancy and mixed things up a little bit. They've certainly shown they deserve their place here and I think there is a good spirit in the squad.

"Going into the World Cup, we're underdogs. If you go online or read any press releases, Wales is always mentioned as the last name in the pool.

"I think people are writing us off in favour of the bigger names. Australia - World Cup winners at Sevens, South Africa - because of what their male counterparts do, and world champions New Zealand - they are fantastic.

"So nobody gives us a second thought, that's great, that suits us down to the ground, and that's a good place to be."

The World Cup will be staged at Surrey Sports Park and the Twickenham Stoop from 20 August 20 to 5 September with Wales kicking off their campaign against Australia on the opening day.

Wales Women's World Cup squad:

Forwards: Jenny Davies, Lowri Harries, Catrin Edwards, Rhian Bowden, Gemma Hallett, Shona Powell-Hughes, Louise Rickard, Rachel Taylor, Catrina Nicholas, Jamie Kift (capt), Sioned Harries, Lisa Newton, Caryl Thomas.

Backs: Amy Day, Laura Prosser, Awen Thomas, Naomi Thomas, Mared Evans, Clare Flowers, Ceri Redman, Mellissa Berry (capt), Caryl James, Non Evans, Elinor Snowsill, Elen Evans.

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