Perpignan revival can help James Hook’s Wales bid

James Hook hopes Perpignan's return to the Heineken Cup can propel him back into Wales reckoning.
The Catalan club are back among Europe's top-flight following two years in the doldrums. And Wales star Hook hopes that will provide him with the perfect platform from which to impress Warren Gatland.
Hook has been selected by various Wales coaches, including Gatland, amassing 70 caps since his debut in 2006.
Yet he has started just once since the 2011 World Cup, a period that coincided with the rise of Rhys Priestland and Dan Biggar, as well as his move to the south of France.
Now the British Lion hopes to force his way back by impressing in the biggest club competition.
Hook said: “Selection is always out of my hands but the only thing I can control is my form. If I can play well for Perpignan in a competition of the standard of the Heineken Cup, then, hopefully, that will bring its own rewards.
“I would love to play for Wales again or at least be back in the mix. Rhys and Dan are great players and have started the season well.
“There is always competition for places but it's just about playing well and catching the eye. The Heineken Cup is the perfect place to do that.”
Perpignan have missed the Heineken Cup and the tournament has been a poorer place without the Catalan passion.
Runners-up in 2003 and twice semi-finalists, Perpignan's Stade Aime Giral is one of the cauldrons of French rugby and the club welcomed a record attendance for a quarter-final when 55,000 turned up at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium in 2011 for the clash against Toulon.
Hook said: “It's huge for the club to be back after two years out of it. Perpignan has a great tradition in the competition and really generates huge interest among the supporters and the town.”
Hook may have become the forgotten man of the Wales squad but has become a local hero at Perpignan where has signed to stay for a further three years.
However the emergence of rising star Camille Lopez has forced Hook to abandon the No.10 jersey for a move to full-back, yet another switch in position for the ultimate utility back.
He said: “Ever since I grew up paying either outside-half or centre with Neath, I have had this tag of being a utility player and it has followed me throughout my career.
“I'm enjoying playing at full-back and getting plenty of ball. The priority is just being on the pitch.”
Hook's inside knowledge of Pool Six opponents Munster, Edinburgh and Gloucester, from his days with Ospreys, will make him invaluable to Perpignan ambitions.
And he admits that the French club must improve their away form if they are to reach the knock-out stages for a sixth time. Hook said:
“At home we are a pretty formidable side but as our results in the Top 14 has shown, our away form is not great.
“Picking up results on the road is critical to getting through the pool stage of the Heineken Cup but if we can improve that, I think we could go far.
MATT LLOYD