Former Wales international James Hook has urged head coach Steve Tandy to select young winger Macs Page for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Japan, comparing the Scarlets player's rise to the impact football star Wayne Rooney had when he first emerged.
Hook also insisted that in-form back-rower Taine Basham must start, warning that his squad call-up should not be a "token gesture". Wales kick off their second Nations Championship phase against Eddie Jones' Brave Blossoms, with the team set to be named on Thursday.
Front row and second row selections
Speaking in the BBC Scrum V studio alongside former Wales international Philippa Tuttiett, presenters Lauren Salter and Gareth Rhys Owen, Hook predicted Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake and Tom Francis would form the front row. He noted Rhys Carre would be a good option but has only played 47 minutes this season, making Gareth Thomas and Nicky Smith the contenders at loosehead.
Both Hook and Tuttiett agreed on Dafydd Jenkins and Ben Carter as the second-row combination. "Ben Carter deserves his start," Hook said. "He's been really good for club and country when he's had his opportunity. He's a proper workhorse and they'll combine well, Dafydd Jenkins and Carter." The duo favoured Teddy Williams over Adam Beard as a bench option.
Back row and half-backs
In the back row, Hook wants to see Basham rewarded for his early-season form. "I would go Basham," he said. "You've got to, on his form," added Tuttiett. Hook criticised token selections: "What I don't like, over the years, you pick a token selection because he's on form with his region. Basham has been outstanding, end of last season, started the season really well."
Hook suggested a back row of Basham, Aaron Wainwright and Jac Morgan could work, depending on whether Wainwright or Basham plays at number eight. At scrum-half, Tomos Williams was the pick with Reuben Morgan-Williams on the bench. In the fly-half debate, Hook favoured Dan Edwards over Sam Costelow: "Dan is a more of an attacking threat, his pace is probably the difference between the two. He challenges the line a little bit more. Costelow is a controlling 10, he's very good defensively. It's tough selection for the coaches but for me our attacking side needs to improve, I would start him (Edwards) at 10." Tuttiett agreed.
Midfield and back three
Hook selected Max Llewellyn at 12, though he expects Tandy to go with Eddie James at 13 and Joe Hawkins at 12. On Louis Rees-Zammit, Tuttiett said he should be picked "where he's good" in his favoured wing spot. "I didn't mind him at full-back," she said. "He ticked a lot of boxes during the Six Nations but I think you are forcing him into 15. He's natural on the wing." Hook added: "That experiment at 15 is over now. He filled in there, his best position is definitely on the wing. He looks more threatening."
At full-back, Blair Murray was the consensus, with Josh Adams possibly on the other flank. Hook made a case for Page's inclusion: "Something about Macs Page reminds me of Wayne Rooney when he was coming through at 16. You just want to see him on the ball. Every time he touches it, something is going to happen." He added: "If he doesn't play against Japan, it's difficult to put him in against Australia or New Zealand. Then you come to the Six Nations, then you've got the World Cup. This is the perfect opportunity to put him in - what have you got to lose?"
