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Welsh Rugby
Hook just happy to be involved
ESPNscrum Staff
July 11, 2011
Hook won his 52nd Test cap against France in this year's Six Nations
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Versatile playmaker James Hook insists he is happy to play anywhere as long as he is involved in Wales' quest for Rugby World Cup glory. Hook, 26, will join French Top 14 side Perpignan from the start of next season but ahead of Wales' two World Cup warm-up clashes with England next month he has revealed he is not thinking about his move but how he can bolster his side's chances in New Zealand. "I like the fly-half position, but I am being genuine when I say I don't mind where I am asked to play for my country," he said. "It's fair to say I'd like to keep hold of a starting spot for Wales if I can, in whatever position, but I do hope to be playing there next year when I go to France." The double-header against England starts at Twickenham on August 6, with the second match coming a week later at the Millennium Stadium and Hook, talking from Wales' 10-day training camp in Poland, believes coming up against England always produces special emotions. "Growing up, Wales versus England was always the game you looked forward to and the one you watched most keenly," he said. "It's something about the historic rivalry between our two nations that just creates a unique atmosphere every time we play. I don't think it's just me, I think the whole of the squad and probably the whole of Wales enjoys the rivalry we have." Wales' 42-man training squad will now undergo a five day rest period before returning to Poland for another 10-day stint from July 16. "None of us can look past that second camp in Poland and we are all vying for selection for those matches against England and Argentina," added Hook. "Going to France is right at the back of my mind at the moment. I have the practical things sorted, so the rest will just take care of itself and I don't need to worry about it. We've already found a house to rent out there whilst we get settled in, and the whole family is coming straight out there with me. "I will look forward to it when the time comes, but I'm also going to be a little bit nervous about it all and that first game against Welsh opposition is going to be strange. As soon as I saw the Amlin Challenge Cup draw the fixture with the Dragons jumped out at me and Aled Brew also rang me to point it out. "They've always given the Ospreys a tough time down at Rodney Parade when I went there with them and I've enjoyed the rivalry over the years. Hopefully, I'll get more joy out of them going back there with Perpignan, but I certainly won't be taking anything for granted and there is plenty of rugby to be played before I need to be thinking about that." © ESPN EMEA Ltd
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