Hook: Welsh ready to be crowned

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Wales head to Dublin on top of the RBS 6 Nations table and in buoyant mood after successive victories over England, Scotland and Italy as they are now one step from silverware - and two steps from rugby heaven and the Grand Slam.

Hook said: "It's going to be a massive game in Dublin, our biggest test, and if we pull through that we are on to big things then. We'd have ripped your arm off at the start of the championship to be going for Triple Crown on the back of three wins."

He added: "There's still a bit of work to do, but we are more than capable of beating Ireland out there."

Wales have not succeeded in that quest since 2000 when, ironically, coach Warren Gatland was in charge of Ireland.

Hook is at the centre of Gatland's biggest selection headache after Stephen Jones made an impressive return to the team on Saturday.

Gatland made six changes for the Italy game - including Jones for Hook - and said at the team announcement that those who had started the first two games were still in the box seat.

It is all part of his attempt to drive the team forward by building intense competition within the squad and keeping players on edge.

"It is about trying to make this group of players reasonably elite," said Gatland. "There are a lot of players in Wales who are desperate to be part of the group.

"And you want the players who are here to feel privileged, that they have an opportunity but they have to perform because they are under pressure. That is what we have tried to create and I think we have been successful in doing that."