Byrne's return sets nomadic Hook free

Will the cultured nomad finally find his home at Twickenham? Wales believe he shall. James Hook has already started Test matches in three different positions for his country, but the word from the Dragonhood is that it will prove to be a case of fourth-time lucky on Saturday. England be warned.

Certainly Martin Johnson will take the threat of Hook at outside centre seriously. As he will the confident statement from Rob Howley, the skills coach charged with unleashing the Wales backs in the Six Nations opener. "We think we may have found his position," said Howley. If Hook does take to No 13 then his midfield partnership with the bullocking Jamie Roberts will be a "must see"; although perhaps not through Red Rose-tinted spectacles. "James has the skill-set to play in a variety of positions," said Howley. "And you sometimes feel like you just have to find a role for him. We are excited about seeing James in this new international role."

Wales are only able to because of the appeal panel on Tuesday night which overturned the Lee Byrne ban for being the 16th man in the recent Ospreys-Leicester showdown. Hook would have been asked to wear the No 15 jersey if the original verdict had been upheld. As versatile and brilliant as the 24-year-old is, Byrne is in a different league as a full-back and the confidence boost at Wales HQ this last 24 hours has been as obvious as it has been ominous for Johnson. "I'm absolutely over the moon to be honest, I'm just glad to put the last four or five days behind me and be back on familiar ground preparing for a game of rugby rather than thinking about an appeal hearing," said Byrne. "I found myself in a difficult position, but I'm just happy it's all over."

However, it is not all vibrancy in the valleys. They might have regained one Lion in Byrne, but they have lost another in Matthew Rees. The Scarlets hooker has suffered a recurrence of a groin injury he sustained in the November against Australia. Instead Wales have turned to the talented but diminutive Gareth Williams.

A boost for England? Williams has not started a Six Nations match for almost seven years and although he has been in eye-catching nick for the Blues of late, at 5ft 8in there have been some questions about his size.

Elsewhere, Gareth Cooper was selected to fill the scrum-half berth left vacant by the absences of Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel – yet he is not even first choice at the Blues. Richie Rees is currently considered Cooper's superior at the region, but for his country the former will play second fiddle on the bench. Gatland has plainly favoured experience over form at No 9.

That is not the case on the wing, however. Tom James is 18 months older than Leigh Halfpenny, but in terms of the Six Nations is comparably embryonic. James will be making his Championship debut at HQ.

Wales team

L Byrne (Ospreys), T James (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys), J Roberts (Blues), S Williams (Ospreys); S Jones (Scarlets), G Cooper; G Jenkins, G Williams (all Blues), A Jones, A W Jones (both Ospreys), L Charteris (Dragons), A Powell, M Williams (both Blues), R Jones (Ospreys, capt).

Replacements H Bennett, P James (both Ospreys), B Davies (Blues), J Thomas (Ospreys), R Rees (Blues), A Bishop (Ospreys), L Halfpenny (Blues).

England v Wales, Saturday, 5pm, BBC1