NEWPORT Gwent Dragons prop Rhys Thomas is one of the new breed Wales could call on for the inaugural Prince William Cup match against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium on November 24.

The match will celebrate 100 years of rugby between the two countries and there is sure to be a clear-out in the Welsh ranks after their failure to reach even the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The same management team, minus sacked coach Gareth Jenkins, will pick the team, but the old guard are likely to call on some newcomers as the build-up to the 2011 World Cup starts with that match.

One of them could well be 25-year-old Thomas, ironically born and brought up in South Africa before coming to Wales through his Newport-born father and graduating via Newport Youth, Newport and the Dragons.

He has been a regular member of the Newport and Dragons teams and was making strides through the ranks when he suffered a chest problem that ruled him out for most of last season.

He was still chosen for the close season tour to Australia only to damage ankle ligaments after three games back for the Dragons.

That meant he missed the tour, though he made the initial World Cup squad, but was omitted from the final 30 because he had too much ground to make up.

His bad luck could become a thing of the past if he gets the call against South Africa as one of the new breed in the wake of the World Cup disaster.

He's full of aggression, sometimes too much, who can get embroiled, but he's got the right attitude and it would be a reward for his persistence if he does make it.

Back row forward Jonathan Thomas could be the new Wales captain with Gareth Thomas unlikely to be picked again and Stephen Jones' long term future in some doubt.

Meanwhile, WRU chief executive Roger Lewis, chairman David Pickering and national representative Gerald Davies left for New Zealand today to search for a new coach to succeed Jenkins.

"We made the decision last week with clear unambiguous signals that we've got to change and that we are immediately in the market for a replacement," said Lewis.

"There are no regrets about the action we've taken, the new man will have four or five years in the job and, you bet, we've got the financial clout.

"We released our figures last week, we've made some tough calls, we've restructured the management team and produced a clean balance sheet. We've been very transparent and this gives us a strong financial footing.

"We have already spoken to three Southern Hemisphere coaches in the World Cup and we will speak to four or five more in New Zealand. We leave tonight and will be back next Tuesday, there are times and dates in the diary for when we get there.

"There also has to be a successful plan in place for Welsh coaches, it's not about one person, but he must fit into a strategy to sustain long term success and someone who will look at systems and structures."

Lewis also revealed that the new director of elite performance, expected to be New Zealand fitness coach Andrew Hore and announced in the next few days, will have an input into the selection of the new coach.

He has also written to all the squad players asking for their input into the World Cup campaign, and will then go external as well, with names of an enquiry team to be released in due course.

Tickets for the Prince William Cup game against South Africa will start from £20. After going to clubs and debenture holders they will be on sale to the general public from Friday. Caretaker coach Nigel Davies will name a 26-man squad on November 14.