WALES captain Mark Taylor is relishing the opportunity to lead a young squad packed with talent on the summer tour to USA and Canada next month. Coach Mike Ruddock opted for the experience of 49 times capped Grand Slam winner Taylor as captain on the two Test tour ahead of the returning Colin Charvis, who missed the entire Six Nations campaign with a foot injury. With ten of the Grand Slam-winning heroes missing through British and Irish Lions duty in New Zealand, Ruddock has selected a new look 29-man Wales squad containing seven uncapped players. But with 13 of the tour party having played a part in the championship success, it is far from an under strength squad that will cross the atlantic this week. Blaenavon-born ex-Lions centre Taylor is eagerly anticipating the forthcoming tour and is thrilled to follow a host of illustrious names who have captained Wales on tour. He said: "I am looking forward to it. There has been a good buzz in training and there is a good mix of experience and youth. "Personally, the captaincy was a bolt from the blue. I was just trying to concentrate on getting into the squad. "But it will be a huge honour to lead out my country on my 50th cap, one of the highlights of my career. "Preparation has gone well and we can't wait to get out onto the field now. " With Welsh rugby currently riding on the crest of a wave, Taylor sees the tour as another vital stepping stone in the revival, and believes it is crucial to maintain the high standards set by Wales during the Six Nations. "The biggest thing now is that after the Six Nations we continue that winning feeling. "The important thing is that this Welsh side move on from being a good team to becoming a great team," added Taylor. "It is important to blend the youngsters in and make them feel part of the squad. The likes of Mefyn Davies, Colin Charvis and myself have vital roles to play in passing on our experience to the youngsters. "A Welsh tour is a huge thing to be involved in and it is important to let the young players settle in and then go out onto the field and express their talent, which is why they have been selected in the first place. "There is certainly no chance of complacency with the younger players tapping on your heels." It has been a fairytale ending to the season for Taylor, and his elevation to the Welsh captaincy has crowned a remarkable 2004-05. The 31 year old missed the majority of the season due to a serious eye injury and was then informed by Llanelli Scarlets that they would be releasing him at the end of the campaign. But in an amazing turnaround Taylor was drafted into the Wales team just 48 hours before the Six Nations finale against Ireland, playing on the wing as the men in red clinched their first Grand Slam for 27 years. His performance resulted in a host of English Premiership clubs coming knocking on the door, and Taylor settled his club future by signing a three year contract with English giants Sale Sharks. He said: "The middle part of the year was really difficult, with my eye problem and then being released by the Scarlets. But the way the season has ended has been incredible. "I have enjoyed many great moments in my career but this season has to rank among the best."