Coach Steve Hansen named a 29-man squad on Tuesday, but said an extra back would be added at a later date.

Thomas, who has 57 caps, is capable of playing wing, inside- or outside-centre.

He has been considered something of a maverick in the past and has been out of Hansen's plans since the Six Nations, but it looks like those problems could be behind him.

Thomas' versatility will be valuable to the squad. It is at inside centre where Wales look to have the biggest problems.

Andy Marinos had a fine tour to South Africa in the summer, but he has been sadly out of touch this season.

With Mark Taylor injured and Pontypridd's Jon Bryant ignored, the other options in the squad are fly-halves Stephen Jones and Iestyn Harris or natural-13 Tom Shanklin.

Thomas has been playing inside centre for his club where he has forged an effective partnership with James.

Wales squad for the November internationals

Forwards: Iestyn Thomas (Llanelli), Gethin Jenkins (Pontypridd), Ben Evans (Swansea), Martyn Madden (Llanelli), Robin McBryde (Llanelli), Mefin Davies (Pontypridd), Vernon Cooper (Llanelli), Gareth Llewellyn (Neath), Steve Williams (Northampton), Robert Sidoli (Pontypridd), Colin Charvis (Swansea, capt), Scott Quinnell (Llanelli), Dafydd Jones (Llanelli), Michael Owen (Pontypridd), Gavin Thomas (Bath), Martyn Williams (Cardiff), Richard Parks (Pontypridd).
Backs: Dwayne Peel (Llanelli), Ryan Powell (Cardiff), Stephen Jones (Llanelli), Neil Jenkins (Pontypridd), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff), Sonny Parker (Pontypridd), Tom Shanklin (Saracens), Andy Marinos (Newport), Jamie Robinson (Cardiff), Craig Morgan (Cardiff), Rhys Williams (Cardiff), Mark Jones (Llanelli), Gareth Thomas (Bridgend).