Hook scoops award

The rising Wales star, who turns 22 later this month, was handed an early birthday present after being awarded by the world renowned magazine.

Hook beat strong competition from Wasps pair Tom Rees and Dominic Waldouck and South Africa’s Francois Steyn.

Virtually unknown at the start of last season, the Osprey’s playmaker burst onto the international stage during Wales’s summer tour to Argentina with a try scoring debut in Patagonia in 2006.

His pinpoint kicking and exciting running style instantly proved popular with the Welsh public, after being dubbed “the new Barry John”.

Hook continued to wow the world with spectacular performances most notably in his super-sub role in the 29-29 draw against Australia last November in the Invesco Perpetual Series on his home debut.

He delivered a fly half masterclass against England where he equalled Neil Jenkins’s record with 22 points in Wales’s 27-18 victory in the RBS Six Nations.

That performance saw him retain his place for the recent tour to Australia and has led to a heated public debate over who should wear the famous No.10 jersey at the Rugby World Cup later this year.

Hook is currently training with Wales’s preliminary Rugby World Cup squad.