James Merriman will captain Wales' Under-21 Grand Slam champions when they go in search of IRB U-21 Rugby World Cup glory in Argentina next week.

The outstanding back row prospect skippers a 26-player squad that includes nine uncapped players as they prepare to face New Zealand, Scotland and hosts Argentina in pool stages matches around their Mendoza base.

"It's a very new squad without nine of our Grand Slam squad," said Wayne Hall, the Wales U-21 team manager.

"But it does mean that the opportunities will be there for the youngsters who have come into the squad to make their mark and fill the boots of so many of our missing Grand Slam players.

"The World Cup tournament is absolutely vital for the development of our players as it exposes them to the southern hemisphere teams in a one-off experience of playing at this highest level.

"Of course it was great winning the Grand Slam again and being at the top of the tree in our own hemisphere but we have to set our sights even higher if we are to progress.

"Our aim has to be to reach the semi-finals and anything after that would be a bonus."

With Chris Czekja and Matthew Jones on tour in North America with Mike Ruddock's national squad, injuries and other commitments also rule out Duane Goodfield, Tom Riley, Gavin Evans, Dafydd Hewitt, Ben Thomson, Ross Davies and Ian Evans.

Richard Fussell, Jamie Roberts, David Watts, Dafydd Lockyer, David Flanagan, Gerwyn Price, Thomas Hearne, Sam Wahdan and Dominic Day are the uncapped players who head for South America bidding to make their international U-21 debuts.

Wales have the honour of kicking-off the World Cup when they clash with the junior All Blacks at Liceo RC next a week today. They then play Scotland at Maristas RC on June 13 and Argentina at Chacras RC four days later. The squad leave for Argentina on Saturday.

Wales squad: Backs: Ricky Williams (Newport), Aled Brew (Neath/Ospreys), Richard Fussell (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff), Andrew Bishop (Neath/Ospreys), Steve Ireland (Newport), David Watts (Swansea), Dafydd Lockyer (Pontypridd), Aled Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), David Flanagan (Pontypridd), Wayne Evans (Cardiff Blues), James Ireland (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Forwards: Gerwyn Price (Neath), Rhys James (Newport), Scott Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Phillip Osborne (Newport), Cai Griffiths (Neath/Ospreys), Thomas Hearne (Caerphilly), Alun Wyn Jones (Swansea/Ospreys), Sam Wahdan (UWIC), Dominic Day (Llanelli), Jonathan Mills (Llanelli/Llanelli Scarlets), Chris Davies (Newport Gwent Dragons), James Merriman (Hartpury College/Gloucester, captain), Rhys Shellard (Pontypridd), Tom Smith (Neath).