James, 30, had only just returned from a family holiday in France when the phone rang confirming he had been included in the 41-man training party.

The uncapped Gloucester lock was on stand-by for Wales’ recent tour to Australia but was not required and expected to spend the summer in pre-season training with the Cherry and Whites.

Instead, he will be trying to convince Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins he deserves another trip to France - this time on a much more serious pursuit - after being selected ahead of axed Ospreys lock Brent Cockbain.

“This call for me was a little out of the blue. It is great to think I could be going to the World Cup,” James said.

“Everyone has their goals and wants to achieve their goals. You want to be the best player you can.

“I know what my goals are and I tend to keep them close to my chest but it’s fair to say after this phone call today, international rugby now features among them.

“I will just have to give everything I can and see what happens.”

Nicknamed ‘The Bull’, James would bring a physical, intimidating edge to the Welsh second row if he makes the final 30-man cut, which Jenkins will name on August 14.

Jenkins insists Cockbain has not been jettisoned from his plans altogether - but the inclusion of fellow Ospreys lock Ian Evans, who has not played for a year after undergoing a shoulder surgery, speaks volumes.

The only other uncapped player in the squad is teenage Cardiff winger Tom James, who impressed Jenkins on the training field after winning a late call-up for the Australia tour.

There is no place for veteran hooker Mefin Davies but Jenkins has included centre Gavin Evans (shoulder), Newport Gwent Dragons prop Rhys Thomas (ankle) and winger Dafydd James (ankle) after their recent injuries.

The 41-man squad will come together at the end of June and then head out to Nantes, Wales’ World Cup base, for a week’s training at the end of July.

Jenkins is trying to line up a friendly match against French opposition that week to help Wales prepare for the clash with England at Twickenham on August 4.

Jenkins will have to name his final 30-man squad 10 days later - before Wales face Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on August 18 and France a week later.

The World Cup captain will be confirmed on August 14.

Wales World Cup training squad:

Backs: A Brew (Ospreys), L Byrne (Ospreys), G Cooper (Gloucester), G Evans (Llanelli Scarlets), G Henson (Ospreys), J Hook (Ospreys), D James (Llanelli Scarlets), T James (Cardiff Blues), M Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), S Jones (Llanelli Scarlets), K Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), S Parker (Ospreys), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets), M Phillips (Ospreys), J Robinson (Cardiff Blues), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), G Thomas (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys).

Forwards: H Bennett (Ospreys), C Charvis (Newport Gwent Dragons), I Evans (Ospreys), I Gough (Ospreys), R Hibbard (Ospreys), C Horsman (Worcester), W James (Gloucester), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), A Jones (Ospreys), D Jones (Ospreys), A-W Jones (Ospreys), R Jones (Ospreys), M Owen (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), R Sidoli (Cardiff Blues), GM Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), I Thomas (Llanelli Scarlets), J Thomas (Ospreys), R Thomas (Newport Gwent Dragons), TR Thomas (Cardiff Blues), M Williams (Cardiff Blues).