Wales coach Steve Hansen is "hopeful" flanker Colin Charvis will be available for the World Cup.

The former Wales skipper is currently without a club after failing to agree a contract with one of the new Welsh regional outfits and is not being paid.

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive David Moffett has revealed that the union will not be able to find any more money to fund Charvis during the World Cup months, leaving Hansen with the possibility of losing a key squad member.

The former Swansea back row faces the prospect of having to pay his own insurance to safeguard his future employment while he plays for Wales in this month's World Cup warm-up matches and the tournament itself in October and November.

English and Welsh clubs are said to be interested in the 55-times capped player but only if he chooses not to compete at the World Cup, forcing Hansen and the Welsh management to look for private sponsorship.

"He wants to go to the World Cup. He's still training and doing what everyone else is doing, but he's doing it for the love of it," said Hansen

"We are working quietly behind the scenes to sort something out so it won't cost him to go to the World Cup. Hopefully we will have it resolved and he will be with us in Australia."

Hansen is preparing his side for four World Cup warm-up games in August, including an appointment with world leaders England.

Clive Woodward says he will not be field his Grand Slam-winning team for the encounter, but the England coach insists players will be playing for positions in his World Cup squad.

He said: "I think you will see the team I have in mind will be able to go head-to-head with any in the world.

"It is a full Test match and is an important one. The competition is pretty incredible. We are not going there to make substitutions and say it was a trial. The only way to play these games is full-on."