Controversial centre Gavin Henson has been named in the Wales training squad for the South Africa Test later this month, but there is no room for World Cup captain Gareth Thomas.

Nigel Davies, temporarily in charge following the sacking of Gareth Jenkins after Wales' pool-stage elimination from the World Cup, has named a 31-man squad for the November 24 Cardiff clash.

Henson (pictured) missed the World Cup after a series of injuries and poor form, but has been named among 15 backs for the showdown with the world champions.

Thomas, Wales' most capped player and leading try-scorer, has been omitted to make way for younger players, including uncapped Llanelli full-back Morgan Stoddart.

Henson will hope to prove his form when his club the Ospreys travel to Gloucester in the Heineken Cup on Friday evening.

"Gavin Henson is one of the players who is in the category of needing a big game this weekend to convince us he is ready to return to the international arena," explained Davies.

"He has been showing encouraging signs for the Ospreys and it will be a tough test for him at Gloucester playing against Mike Tindall and Anthony Allen.

"We need him somewhere near the peak of his powers if we are to get the best out of him and that is what we will be looking for."

Thomas has yet to retire from international rugby but seems content to allow Wales to blood younger talent.

"I've spoken to Gareth Thomas about our selection policy. Although he hasn't ruled himself out of the international reckoning, he has stated publicly that it is perhaps time for younger players to come through and make an impact," added Davies.

"In this instance, I would tend to agree with him, especially in the light of the performances put in by Stoddart, Lee Byrne and Tom James so far this season.

"This could be a chance for us to have a look at how these talented young players cope with the pressure of performing on the international stage."

There are seven players included in the squad who were not at the World Cup: Byrne, Tom James, Henson and Stoddart behind the scrum and Rhys Thomas, Luke Charteris and Robin Sowden-Taylor up front.

Experience flanker Martyn Williams has retired from international rugby, Chris Horsman, Kevin Morgan and Dafydd James are injured while Gareth Thomas and Will James are not included.

Wales Training Squad v South Africa

Backs: Lee Byrne (Ospreys), Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets), Mark Jones (Scarlets), Shane Williams (Ospreys), Tom James (Blues), Tom Shanklin (Blues), Jamie Robinson (Blues), Gavin Henson (Ospreys), Sonny Parker (Ospreys), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), James Hook (Ospreys), Ceri Sweeney (Dragons), Michael Phillips (Ospreys), Dwayne Peel (Scarlets), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester).

Forwards: Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Alix Popham (Scarlets), Colin Charvis (Dragons), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Blues), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Michael Owen (Dragons), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Rhys Thomas (Dragons), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), T Rhys Thomas (Blues), Gethin Jenkins (Blues, Captain), Duncan Jones (Ospreys).

Terence O'Rorke / Eurosport