James Hook is likely to play centre or full-back on Wales' summer tour

Wales caretaker coach Robin McBryde says James Hook's best position has yet to be determined.

Hook is primed for centre or full-back on Wales' summer tour to north America at the end of a frustrating season for him and the misfiring Ospreys.

He is behind Stephen Jones in Wales' pecking order and missed out on the Lions tour to South Africa.

"As to where he's best, I'm not sure anybody's completely sure of that," McBryde told BBC Sport Wales.

Hook, 23, was tipped to establish himself as a global star following his stunning home Wales debut against Australia in November 2006.

He replaced Jones that day to spearhead a comeback in Wales' 29-29 draw, scoring 13 points.

But he has yet to fulfil that promise, his form has dipped this season and he has played centre in the Ospreys' last three outings.

Cardiff Blues' resurgent Nicky Robinson and Hook's fellow Osprey Dan Biggar are set to battle for the Wales number 10 jersey for the Tests against Canada and the USA.

606: DEBATE What is Hook's best position?

But Hook seems guaranteed to play a big part on the field even if it is not from his accustomed fly-half spot.

McBryde said: "It's down to the skill levels and the skill acquisition that James Hook has got. He's had a bit of exposure at 13 with the region.

"He can play at full-back as well. He's such a skilful player, I think to have him on the park is a huge asset."

The former Wales and Lions hooker added: "He's had some exposure at centre and we'll be considering him in that position on the tour."

Former Wales fly-half Neil Jenkins adds backs-coaching responsibilities to his kicking skills role for the tour.

Jenkins believes Hook's talents are such there are times when it seems unfair for selectors to play him at centre or full-back.

But Jenkins says that is an inevitable result of Hook's adaptability.

"We know that James is a talented outside-half and maybe that's his best position," said Jenkins.

"But when you've got a lot of good players on the pitch and James is one of your best players and maybe can't get on the pitch at times, I think you've got to try and find a position for him and get him on there.

"I know it's not always fair to James in terms of playing him in different positions and moving him around.

"But he's a world-class rugby player and whether it be 13 or maybe 15 for this tour, he'll certainly be there on the park.

"We'll have to wait and see which position it is."

Wales face Canada in Toronto on Saturday, 30 May, and the USA in Chicago a week later.

Wales squad - Backs: Dwayne Peel (Sale), Gareth Cooper (Gloucester), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Nicky Robinson (Blues), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), James Hook (Ospreys), Jonathan Spratt (Ospreys), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Mark Jones (Scarlets), Richard Mustoe (Blues), Tom James (Blues), Chris Czekaj (Blues), Gareth Owen (Ospreys), Jason Tovey (Dragons).

Forwards: Duncan Jones (Ospreys), Craig Mitchell (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Gareth Williams (Blues), John Yapp (Blues), Eifion Lewis-Roberts (Sale), Bradley Davies (Blues), Ian Gough (Ospreys), Deiniol Jones (Blues), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Dafydd Jones (Scarlets), Robin Sowden-Taylor (Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys, capt), Lewis Evans (Dragons), Rob McCusker (Scarlets), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Sam Warburton (Blues), Dan Lydiate (Dragons).

Canada squad: Mike Burak (Cornish Pirates/Vancouver, BC), Aaron Carpenter (Brantford Harelquins, Brantford, ON), Jamie Cudmore (Clermont Auvergne, Squamish, BC), Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK), Sean Duke (University of Victoria, Victoria, BC), Matt Evans (Hartpury College-UK/Cowichan, BC), Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC), Scott Franklin (Cornish Pirates/Regina, SK), Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers/Conception Bay, NFLD), Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC), Bryn Keys (Velox Vallhallians/Abbotsford, BC), Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC), Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC), Stan McKeen (Oxford University/Vancouver, BC), Justin Mensah-Coker (Plymouth Albion/Vancouver, BC), Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy), Chauncey O'Toole (University of Victoria/Frederiction, NB), Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/Lucan, ON), James Pritchard (Bedford Blues), Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby, BC), Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers/Fredericton, NB), Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON), David Spicer (University of Victoria/Victoria, BC), Sean Michael Stephen (Plymouth Albion/Oakville, ON), Luke Tait (Stade Montois - France/Barrie, ON), Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria/St. Albert, AB), Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK), Dean van Camp (Velox Valhallians/Port Perry, ON), DTH van der Merwe (James Bay AA/Regina, SK), Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John's, NFLD), Doug Wooldridge (Cowichan RFC/Lindsay, ON)

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