BBC Sportrugbyunionwelsh

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 06:34 GMT, Friday, 25 September 2009 07:34 UK

Hook needs games at 10 - Davies

Ospreys fly-half James Hook
James Hook struggled at fly-half against Leinster last weekend

Jonathan Davies believes the Ospreys are damaging Wales' international prospects by continually switching James Hook between fly-half and centre.

Davies says Hook needs time to develop as a fly-half in order to provide dependable back-up for Wales' first-choice number 10 Stephen Jones.

"If something does happen to Stephen Jones, who plays stand-off for Wales?" asked former Wales captain Davies.

He added: "It's not a good idea to move James Hook out of stand-off."

Less than a week after publically stating he wants to play at fly-half for region and country, Hook finds himself selected at inside centre for the Ospreys' visit to Glasgow Warriors on Friday.

The 24-year-old, who received a late call to join the Lions tour this summer, struggled for consistency last season as he was switched between both positions.

606: DEBATE
bopa's return

He started at fly-half in the last two Ospreys games - both ending in defeat - but makes way for Dan Biggar for the trip to Scotland.

Director of rugby Scott Johnson has already stated his side will follow their own coaching and playing agenda, even if it conflicts with the direction being taken by Wales.

And former Wales fly-half Davies says the conflict of interest has already reared its head over Hook's handling.

"You do need a run of games at 10, I do believe, if you are going to play there in international rugby," said former fly-half Davies on BBC Radio Wales' Scrum V programme.

"If something does happen to Stephen Jones, what does happen in the autumn [internationals] to Wales?

"Sometimes it's easy to change positions and say that James Hook is a 13 or a 12, but if something does happen to Stephen Jones, who plays stand-off for Wales?

"That's the question because I don't think we've got that much strength in depth at the stand-off position at the moment and maybe we've got far better strength in depth at centre than we have at stand-off.

"On the national scales, I don't think it's a good idea to move James Hook out of stand-off."



Print Sponsor


see also
Glasgow Warriors 16-26 Ospreys
25 Sep 09 |  Glasgow
Hook asks to be Ospreys' fly-half
18 Sep 09 |  Welsh
Biggar sends 10 warning to Hook
17 Aug 09 |  Welsh
Hook told to take control at 10
05 Jun 09 |  Welsh
Hook's best position not settled
12 May 09 |  Welsh
Hook signs new Ospreys contract
31 Aug 07 |  Ospreys
Hook could oust Jones - Jenkins
19 Mar 07 |  Welsh
Jenkins has Hook plea for Ospreys
06 Nov 06 |  Rugby Union
Hook hailed as 'new Barry John'
15 Jun 06 |  Welsh
Hook rewarded with Wales training
13 Feb 06 |  Internationals
Magners Celtic League 2009/10
14 Jul 09 |  Rugby Union
Coming up next on Scrum V...
03 Nov 08 |  Welsh
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites