Hook keen to impress against Scots

JAMES HOOK will wear Wales’ fabled number 10 shirt for the first time in almost two years on Saturday — and he does not intend to disappoint.

Wales coach Warren Gatland admits he has made “a brave call” in handing Hook the playmaker’s role against RBS 6 Nations opponents Scotland at Murrayfield.

Hook’s first fly-half start at any level of rugby this season comes with 96 times-capped Stephen Jones still shaking off the effects of a bang to his neck received in an attempted tackle on England full-back Ben Foden four days ago.

Jones, who missed training on Monday and yesterday, will be on the bench in Edinburgh, with two other changes following the defeat against England seeing Lee Byrne restored at full-back instead of Hook and Ryan Jones replacing injured number eight Andy Powell. Hook, 25, is viewed in the mould of gifted Wales fly-half predecessors like Barry John, Phil Bennett and Jonathan Davies, a genial game-breaker whose selection will see glasses raised in rugby clubhouses from Anglesey to Abergavenny.

But the pressure is now on to perform, steering Wales through a testing Murrayfield mission against a Scotland side making giant strides under Andy Robinson’s coaching direction.

“The most important thing is we perform as a team in Scotland,” said Hook, who will win his 49th cap.

“I believe in my own ability. I know what I can do, and if I have that belief and confidence in the players around me as well, there is no reason why we can’t do well.”

Hook last started at fly-half for Wales when they edged past Italy in Rome during the 2009 Six Nations, although he has delivered some impressive second-half cameos for the Ospreys in that position this term.

Gatland revealed consideration was given to blooding the uncapped Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland against Scotland.

“There was a long debate about whether or not we started Rhys,” he said.

“He has been the best attacking 10 in Wales this season, but to put him under pressure at Murrayfield wasn’t fair for a first start.’’

Gatland, meanwhile, allayed any fitness fears surrounding wing Morgan Stoddart, who is retained despite breaking a bone in his hand against England.

But a sore hip sidelines scrum-half Dwayne Peel, so there is an opportunity on the bench for Scarlets youngster Tavis Knoyle, while uncapped Scarlets flanker Josh Turnbull also features among the replacements.

Jones for Powell is the only change up-front as Wales look to their forwards to maintain levels of consistency that have been evident all season.