JAMES Hook has been hailed as one of the most “gifted” Welsh players of a generation as the Perpignan star prepares to start at outside-half for his country for the first time in two years.

The last occasion the 28-year-old wore the Wales No 10 jersey was in the third/fourth play-off clash with Australia at the 2011 World Cup.

Since that defeat, Hook has been forced into largely cameo roles during his country’s ensuing Grand Slam and back-to-back Six Nations successes.

He is back in from the cold and gets a great chance to show the world just what he can do in his favourite position against Tonga in Cardiff on Friday night.

His former Ospreys teammate Ryan Jones, who will extend his record of captaining Wales to 33 occasions, paid tribute to the supremely gifted Hook who also plays centre and full-back.

“James is one of the most gifted individuals Welsh rugby has seen in a long time,” former Newport back row forward and Bassaleg School student Jones said.

“If you watch the guy train daily, from a skill point of view there's nothing the kid can't do. “There's no doubting that. He's thrived in France, away from this environment, and is held in high esteem there and he poses an individual attacking threat.”

2008 Grand Slam-winning skipper Jones, 32, who wins his 75th cap on Friday, speaking about Hook’s selection at fly-half, he added: “But the role of ten has changed and it's about picking those moments.

“James has a job to do like everyone else has in the team. It's about facilitating others at times. It's not all about James Hook, but what James does is buy time for the people beside him because as a defender you will always have one eye on him.

“I don't think he knows what he's going to do half the time. With that, he becomes a wonderful attacking threat.”

Wales make 11 changes from the starting XV which recorded their biggest win over Argentina, last Saturday’s 40-6 triumph at the Millennium Stadium trumping by some distance 2009’s 33-16 victory at the same venue.

Two backs remain in vastly experienced pair, full-back Leigh Halfpenny and right wing George North.

Newport Gwent Dragons’ rising star Hallam Amos, 19, comes in on the left wing in place of the Scarlets’ Liam Williams to win his first cap.

At centre Owen Williams and Ashley Beck are in for injured pair Scott Williams and Cory Allen who both suffered injuries against the Pumas last week.

Hook replaces Dan Biggar at No 10, with Rhys Priestland providing cover from the bench.

At scrum-half, Lloyd Williams replaces Mike Phillips who is rested completely, impressive young Scarlets No 9 Rhodri Williams set for his Test debut after being named in the 23-man match-day squad as is promising regional teammate, utility back Jordan Williams.

The two forwards who keep their places are tighthead prop Rhodri Jones and openside flanker Justin Tipuric.

Getting their chances to shine from the off this time are Paul James, starting on the loosehead, Ken Owens at hooker, former Rodney Parade favourite Luke Charteris at lock, second row partner Ian Evans, and Dragons captain Andrew Coombs, making his first international start on the blindside and Jones who is number eight.

Wales: L Halfpenny, G North, O Williams, A Beck, H Amos, J Hook, L Williams, P James, K Owens, Rhodri Jones, L Charteris, I Evans, A Coombs, J Tipuric, Ryan Jones (capt).

Replacements: E Phillips, R Bevington, S Lee, D Lydiate, S Warburton, R Williams, R Priestland, J Williams.