NEWPORT born and bred Alix Popham makes his World Cup debut for Wales on Sunday when he lines up against Tonga at the Bruce Stadium, Canberra.

And Popham hopes to mark his 24th birthday 48 hours earlier with a belated present by helping Wales to their second victory of the tournament.

The team will not be announced until tomorrow when changes will be fewer than might have been expected, but Popham has been told he is in the side.

"I just can't wait to get out there and I'm really looking forward to it. This is the biggest competition you can play in," said Popham in an exclusive interview at the team's appartments on the outskirts of the city.

"I was disappointed not to be involved last Sunday as this is the achievement for any player. You always believe you are good enough. I have trained hard at Leeds which has been a fresh start for me, they have got me playing and showing what I'm capable of."

Had he not moved to Leeds Popham might never have made it and a little over a year ago he could not have been further from the national side.

Unable to get into the Newport side and seemingly out of the hunt, his position took a further backward step when Newport signed veteran back row forward Steve Ojomoh.

But that proved the catalyst, for there was a clause in Popham' contract which said he could go if Newport signed another international in his position.

He decided to leave and since then his career has had a massive transformation.

Popham is the most capped Welsh player from under-19 to under-21 level, having played for the under-18 schools and youth, the FIRA team and the under-19s and under-21s, as well as the A team and the Welsh and British Colleges - so to play in the World Cup was probably his destiny.

"Other players have had those honours and not made the last step, so I'm very pleased to be here," he said.

"Phil Davies and all the staff at Leeds (including Jonathan Callard, the former Newport full back and Leeds coach) have helped me, even Allan Lewis with Newport gave me the chance to play."

Popham expects a tough challenge from Tonga, who start their World Cup campaign tonight against Italy in Canberra.

"We are going along to watch them and we are expecting them to be very physical," said Popham.

"They are fiery. I played against scrum-half Sililo Martens when I was with Newport and he was physical, the whole 15 or 22 will be exactly the same. But I like the big hits, as well as having the ball in my hands and making decisions at the back of the scrum.

"We want three wins in the first three games. We are playing three completely different teams, and we've got to look to win the next two."