New Wales captain Gareth Thomas has paid tribute to his predecessor Colin Charvis after winning a keenly-contested leadership race.

Thomas will take the reins when Wales launch their autumn Test series against Millennium Stadium visitors South Africa on November 6.

Coach Mike Ruddock conducted interviews before appointing 30-year-old Toulouse star Thomas - Wales' record international try-scorer - and hailing him as "the best man for the job."

Newcastle back-row forward Charvis, who led Wales at last year's World Cup and during this summer's tour of Argentina and South Africa, has been asked to fill vice-captaincy duties, with Ruddock hoping that both players will keep their roles throughout his current two-year tenure in the top job.

Charvis captained Wales 21 times, yet he did not always appear comfortable with certain off-pitch aspects of the post, such as media duties.

Thomas, whose 77 caps make him the third most-decorated player in Welsh rugby history behind Gareth Llewellyn and Neil Jenkins, said: "Hopefully, I will be getting a lot of help and advice from Colin, in particular. He's a great bloke and a great player, and his on-the-field role in the team doesn't really change too much," said Thomas.

"Colin has been a great leader for the squad, and I only hope I can touch on some of the qualities he has brought to the job over the past seasons," Bridgend-born Thomas made his Wales debut during the 1995 World Cup, winning 56 caps as a wing and 14 in the centre, but he is now established at full-back.

Thomas joined Toulouse earlier this summer in a lucrative move from the now-defunct Celtic Warriors regional outfit, and he will be a popular choice among Welsh rugby fans.

"I am delighted to accept the honour of the Welsh captaincy, and hope I can repay the faith that Mike and the management team have in me," he said.

Ruddock said: "I have appointed Gareth as captain and believe he is the best man for the job. He is a mature and complete player, and someone who has the full respect of the management team, his peers and the international rugby public."