Hook ready to ‘kick’ start RBS Six Nations

Hook has been handed his RBS Six Nations debut by Gareth Jenkins to face favourites and defending Triple Crown holders Ireland and will start at centre for the big clash.

The 21-year-old rising star has told the Wales boss he can be his new goal king. Hook said: “I’d be more than happy to do the kicking for Wales, I’ve always enjoyed that responsibility and I’m happy to take that on for my country.”

Two years ago Gavin Henson wore the No.12 jersey when he booted Wales to the start of a Grand Slam triumph with his winning penalty against England in Cardiff. Now ice-cool Hook, who made his Test debut last summer, aims to follow in the footsteps of his Ospreys mate by taking on the kicking duties for Wales.

Hook is fortunate to have one of the best in the business alongside him in the Wales starting line up; Stephen Jones. Jones is the second highest points scorer in Test history for Wales with 512 and has bags of experience and a temperament for the big occasion.

Hook has also proved a winner for club and country. The ice-cool youngster, coached by world record holder Neil Jenkins, has missed just once in nineteen attempts for Wales as well as crucial kicks for the Ospreys in Europe.

Hook said: “Jenks has been a great help in helping me concentrate on my technique, even when there’s 70,000 people around you. I feel I can handle it, that’s just the way I am. If you make a mistake you have to be able to shrug it off and get on with trying to do something positive to make up for it. Nothing is going to stop me.”