2011 SIX NATIONS: SCOTLAND v WALES
Venue: Murrayfield Stadium Date: Saturday, 12 February Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One from 1635, and on the Red Button and online; listen on BBC Radio 5 live; live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles. Also broadcast on BBC America.

James Hook will win his 49th Welsh cap at fly-half in Scotland on Saturday

Warren Gatland handed James Hook the Wales playmaker role for their Six Nations trip to Scotland - then told the fly-half to be more "conservative."

Hook replaces British and Irish Lions star Stephen Jones at Murrayfield as Wales hope to kick-start their campaign and end an eight-Test winless run.

Hook plays his favoured role for the first time in 18 months in a move coach Gatland described as a "brave call."

Gatland said: "It's about being more conservative and taking on less risks."

The versatile Ospreys back, widely hailed as Wales' most talented footballer, has secured a lucrative move to French giants Perpignan after this autumn's Rugby World Cup such is his desire to orchestrate the play from the number 10 position.

Hook, who has been played in the centre and at full-back, has long spoken of his desire to be Wales' chief playmaker.

The key line is he is a creator for other people, there has been a tendency with James to take on a little bit too much himself Wales coach Warren Gatland

And despite not playing fly-half at international level since the 2009 Six Nations, he has been given a chance to step out of Jones' experienced shadow in Edinburgh.

Jones is a renowned game-manager, solid defender and sound tactician while Hook is known for his dynamic approach and running style.

But Gatland wants the 25-year-old not to take on all the responsibility.

"He is a quality player," said the Wales coach.

"But I think he has been a little frustrated for the whole season, whether it is pressure from us or external pressure, that he has to be this playmaker, create and win the game.

"The key line is he is a creator for other people; there has been a tendency with James to take on a little bit too much himself.

"On occasions he is running when he could have passed and kicking when he could have run. He should be natural, be instinctive but make the right decisions."

Hook has waited 18 months for the opportunity to show his potential at fly-half from the start, but he played down his great opening.

"Obviously I'm happy to get a run but I'm not expecting too much," said Hook.

"I'm not putting too much pressure on myself but I realise how important it is to get a win in Scotland.

Everyone makes a big thing of playing number 10 but none of the players or coaches have focused on it too much James Hook

"There will be external pressure but I will put that to the back of my mind. I know I haven't started at 10 for a long time but I'm not going to let that affect me.

"I have total confidence in myself playing there and total confidence in the team around me."

Hook has been moved to fly-half from centre during games and was switched from full-back to playmaker in Wales' opening Six Nations defeat to England in Cardiff.

Hook's last Wales start at fly-half was their victory in Italy in March 2009 and Gatland accepts it is a "brave risk" to make his 49th Wales cap a start in the coveted number 10 jersey.

"It was a long debate about whether we started Rhys Priestland as he has been best attacking 10 in Wales this season," admitted Gatland.

"But to put him under the pressure at Murrayfield was a little bit unfair.

"It was a brave call to give James a start at number 10 as he has not started there at all this season

"He has wanted to play there for a while and now he gets his opportunity.

"I don't think he had quite the impact when I shifted him there against England. He said himself he was a little lateral and probably taking a bit too much on."

Hook admits himself: "I've got Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies outside me who are big, powerful blokes and very good players.

"I need to get ball in their hands and get over the gain-line.

"Everyone makes a big thing of playing number 10 but none of the players or coaches have focused on it too much."

Wales team to face Scotland in Edinburgh on 12 February:
Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets); Jamie Roberts (Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets); Shane Williams (Ospreys); James Hook (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Ospreys); Paul James (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Capt, Scarlets), Craig Mitchell (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Dragons), Sam Warburton (Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys)
Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), John Yapp (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), John Turnbull (Scarlets), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets)

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