RBS SIX NATIONS - ENGLAND v WALES
Venue: Twickenham Date: Saturday, 6 February Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Coverage: Exclusively live on BBC ONE, BBC HD channel, Red Button and online, full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, live text commentary and score updates on BBC Sport website

Jamie Roberts and James Hook are an exciting Wales centre pairing

Former Wales back Mark Ring wants to see a fluidity between centres James Hook and Jamie Roberts in Saturday's RBS Six Nations opener against England.

Wales beat England 23-15 last year in Cardiff, with Roberts battering his way ahead down the inside centre channel.

The British and Irish Lions man of the series again starts in the 12 shirt at Twickenham, but Ring hopes Hook will move inside when the occasion demands.

"Hook, you have to find a spot for him in the side somewhere," Ring said.

"We all know how abrasive Jamie Roberts can be, his power, his direction, his strength, he gives us a bit of go-forward.

"If they play at 12 and 13 with Hook at 13 I'd be slightly disappointed in that.

"There'll be a time for Jamie Roberts to be at 12 and there'll be a time for James Hook to be at 12.

"I'm hoping there'll be a nice balance there and the coaches - particularly Rob Howley, Shaun Edwards - would see the bigger picture at this level."

Last year England largely nullified the threat of Roberts by switching back-row Joe Worsley into the Welshman's running channel when they defended from the set-piece.

Despite dominating territory and possession, Wales led just 9-8 at half-time as Wasps stalwart Worsley made his mark.

606: DEBATE Fly-halves are about even and centres... Hmm, very difficult to measure. racdavies

Ring still wants to see Roberts rampaging into the white shirts at full pelt, but says Wales must also be prepared to use variety when they launch attacks.

"There's times that Jamie Roberts could be having the same sort of 'thrustfullness', if you like, in the wider area, perhaps target the likes of [England outside centre Matthew] Tait," Ring added.

"There will be times where James Hook in the 12 position has got a kicking game, an intricate kicking game, and be able to see the width and possibly use Jamie Roberts as a decoy.

"The balance is there but whether they're going to use that and utilise that through the course of the game remains to be seen."

In 2008 Wales claimed their first win at Twickenham in 20 years and are seeking a repeat performance to set them on their way in this year's championship.

Lee Byrne will line up at full-back after successfully winning an appeal against a two-week ban, handed down for his part in the Ospreys briefly fielding 16 men in their Heineken Cup win over Leicester.

Ring believes Byrne's presence is a huge boost to Wales' chances, but that that is balanced by hooker Matthew Rees being ruled out through injury.

"The thing about Lee Byrne really is the fact that he's an out-and-out full-back... so it's a massive boost to have a British Lion in that role for the first game," Ring said.

"Looking down the list there's a lot of British Lions tourists in the starting line-up... but that's tempered to a certain extent by Matthew Rees' absence. That's a big blow.

"Despite Gareth Williams' solid performances for the Blues over the last few years - he's been one of their most consistent players and thoroughly deserves his chance - he's been away from the international scene for a bit."

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