Wales coach Warren Gatland has picked James Hook to start at fly-half for Saturday’s Six Nations decider against France, hinting at a change in tactics for a match which could see the Welsh secure a Grand Slam just 12 months after taking the Wooden Spoon under Gareth Jenkins. Hook, who started against England and Scotland only to take a back seat to Llanelli’s Stephen Jones for the Italy and Ireland games, returns in order to pose a greater threat in the open field.
In the only other change, hooker Huw Bennett returns to the starting line-up after flu ruled him out of the Croke Park victory. French coach Marc Lievremont will name his team on Wednesday, having decided to take in another training session before committing himself to his usual welter of changes. Definitely out are Aurelien Rougerie, Yann David, Julien Tomas, Ibrahim Diarra, Louis Picamoles and Guilhem Guirad, with Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, David Skrela, Cedric Heymans, Thierry Dusautoir, Elvis Vermeulen and William Servat restored to the 22.
Filed under: France, OO Home, Six Nations, Wales | Tagged: France, grand slam, james hook, marc lievremont, millennium stadium, Six Nations, Wales
