Speaking after Wales's first training session ahead of the Autumn internationals, Thomas also revealed that becoming captain of his country has always been one of this major ambitions.

He said: "There have been a lot of people saying it is an impossibility to lead a side from full-back, I disagree with that. I think you can lead a team just about anywhere on the park.

"As long as you have got the respect of your players and trust in your senior players and what they say and do then you go along with it.

"People have also spoken about the captaincy as something of a poisoned chalice in the past.

"I think sometimes the shine can be taken off it having seen what Colin (Charvis) faced. Everybody in Wales wants that job so everybody in Wales has an opinion on how to do that job.

Another man relatively new in his job, Mike Ruddock is convinced that "Alfie" is well suited to the role.

He said: "The reason Gareth has the captaincy because he has the respect of the team-mates and he is very popular. We don't want to change that very much.

"We want him to grow in the role and be himself and get the support from the rest of the squad."

Ruddock and Thomas also revealed Wales's new shirt on Monday.

The kit still produced by Reebok, are sponsored by Brains SA, after the Cardiff based brewery agreed a four year sponsorship earlier in the year.