WALES captain Colin Charvis believes his squad has a good mix of youth and experience as they prepare for the Autumn international series.
His nation take on Romania in Wrexham a week tomorrow followed by clashes with Canada, Fiji and the grand finale against New Zealand.
Charvis was unveiled as Steve Hansen's skipper for the four-match series, a vote of confidence following the relative success of the summer tour to South Africa.
He was heralded for his leadership qualities of an inexperienced squad then and the Swansea flanker is looking forward to continuing the development of another largely untested group.
"One of the major plusses to emerge from South Africa was that we developed as a squad," said Charvis.
"The younger players performed very well and, if I am labelled a good captain because of that, then so be it. I don't think my captaincy had any relevance as to how the players performed out there.
"We still need to develop a lot with the team we have got over the next 12 months.
"However there is a good mix of young, in-form players and some older heads which Steve Hansen has brought in for these matches."
Despite the disappointing performances by Welsh clubs in the Heineken Cup over the last couple of weeks, Charvis remains upbeat about the national side's prospects.
"There is an excitement for every player when he moves from club rugby to the national squad, whether it is for the senior team through to the under-18s.
"Any problems that players have had on the club front, they have got to put to the back of their mind and tell themselves 'I have warranted a place in one of Steve Hansen's squads' and they then play accordingly."
Meanwhile, Bridgend skipper Gareth Thomas had been added to the squad.
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