CHRIS Horsman is set to make his Rugby World Cup bow after being named in Wales' starting XV to face Japan at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Thursday (8pm).

The Worcester Warriors prop has been overlooked for head coach Gareth Jenkins' first two squads, but has been included for the forthcoming encounter.

Horsman will be joined in the front row by fellow prop Duncan Jones and hooker Rhys Thomas in a Wales side featuring 10 personnel changes from the side beaten 32-20 by Australia on Saturday.

Fly-half Stephen Jones will take over from the injured Gareth Thomas as captain, while Kevin Morgan returns at full-back and Dafydd James comes onto the wing.

Jamie Robinson will partner James Hook in the centre and Mike Phillips gets a run out at scrum-half.

Up front, Alix Popham regains the number eight jersey with Jonathan Thomas switching to blindside flanker and Colin Charvis starting ahead of Martyn Williams on the open-side. Will James comes into the second row alongside Alun-Wyn Jones, who retains his place.

Jenkins said: "The front row is a strong area for us and Duncan, Chris and Rhys will be invaluable to us if we are to progress as we feel we should."

Wales team to play Japan in Pool B' of the World Cup at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, on Thursday: K Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons); D James (Llanelli Scarlets), J Robinson (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets, capt), M Phillips (Ospreys); D Jones (Ospreys), TR Thomas (Cardiff Blues), C Horsman (Worcester), W James (Gloucester), AW Jones (Ospreys), J Thomas (Ospreys), C Charvis (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets).

Replacements: H Bennett (Ospreys), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), I Evans (Ospreys), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), G Cooper (Gloucester), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues).