WALES coach Mike Ruddock, pictured, has defended his decision to choose Toulouse star Gareth Thomas as his new skipper with Newcastle Falcons forward Colin Charvis standing down to vice-captain.

The former Dragons coach had come under criticism for choosing two players to lead the national side, who both play their club rugby outside of Wales.

But the Wales coach feels that it won't be a problem having both Thomas and Charvis playing their club rugby outside of the Principality.

And Ruddock insists that Thomas WILL be available to lead the the team out against South Africa despite reports that Toulouse were unwilling to release the former Celtic Warriors player for Wales' first game of the Autumn series.

He said: "It would be ideal if my captain was playing his rugby in Wales for one of the regional sides but it is not hard for me to pick up my mobile and phone them, or pick up my mouse and e-mail them or even jump on a plane and go and see them.

"And at the same time I respect any player who changes their career path to try to meet new and different challenges."

Regarding the prospect of Thomas not being available for the South Africa game, he said: "As far as I am concerned it is a non-story and a non-runner, it is an IRB sanctioned game and Gareth Thomas if fit will be leading Wales out as captain in our first Autumn international game against South Africa.

"The schedules and fixtures for the Welsh team have been out for a while now and the IRB have approved and sanctioned them so maybe the French don't realise that."

Meanwhile Ruddock also confirmed that Charvis has accepted his new role as vice-captain, He said: "Colin has accepted the role of vice-captain.

"I phoned him up and left a message on his phone and told him to ring me back if there were any problems with that decision, and he didn't so as far as I am concerned he has accepted the role.

"I wanted to free up Colin a bit and let him get on with what he does best and that is playing and now he can concentrate on that.

"I think I've created enthusiasm for the job and whereas before people may have turned it down, now we have five or six people queueing up wanting the role and for me that is a very exciting aspect of what it takes to be Welsh captain."

Ruddock will be at Rodney Parade for tonight's Celtic League game against Leinster, a game he is relishing seeing.

"I'm looking forward to, there are two good teams on show and it should be exciting," he said.

"Declan Kidney makes his return to Rodney Parade so they'll be two former Dragons coaches there tonight, as well two fine sides."