Hook is ready and willing to take on France

When Wales announces their team on Thursday for the semi-final against France, all eyes will be on whether fly half Rhys Priestland is named to the starting XV.

Priestland suffered a shoulder injury in the quarter-final triumph over Ireland, leaving James Hook and Stephen Jones as possible replacements.

Hook insists he is ready if the call comes from Wales coach Warren Gatland.

“I would be there if needed and selected,” said the 56-Test playmaker. “I have been in the camp for the last six or seven weeks and I am familiar with the calls. If I am called upon I will be chuffed.”

There was a time not long ago that the 26-year-old Hook would have been handed an automatic berth on the Welsh roster but the emergence of younger players has relegated him to the role of a replacement.

“It shows how quickly rugby can turn and things can happen that you might not expect,’’ he said. “These boys spur you on with the energy they bring on and off the field. They are a new breed. There is no baggage with them.

That new breed of player is one of the main reasons why Wales is making their first semi-final appearance in 24 years.

That new breed seems to have caught the World Cup by surprise, including themselves.

Error-free performances

“We have probably surprised ourselves a little bit at how we’ve performed here but surprised other people a lot more,’’ said Hook. “It has been bubbling for a couple of years and we have put in error-free performances that have got us the results.’

Looking back at the road to Saturday’s semi-final, Hook said a training camp in Poland set the stage for success.

“Poland built a base for us. The conditioning the players did early mornings and last thing at night, training four or five times a day was not pleasant at the time but when you look back, it has paid dividends.

“I found it tough physically. It was tiring and taxing. We had not done it before but everyone came through it for the better.”

Whether those benefits translate into a berth in the final remains to be seen, and Hook anticipates a tough game against the French.

“France were great against England. They were clinical, took their chances well, kicked their goals and were strong from the start,’’ he said.

“Everyone knows about French flair and their unpredictability. They have talent from one to 15 but we have played them enough to realise we can beat them.

"There has not been a lot in our recent games against France. Little errors have cost us.

“If we continue what we have been doing in the tournament so far and cut them out I am sure we can get the win we want.”