A 77-TIMES capped veteran getting the nod for the World Cup may not be an emotional underdog story to rival Rocky but it will be quite the comeback tale if James Hook earns the right to be Dan Biggar's understudy at England 2015.

The 30-year-old Gloucester man may boast a wealth of international experience but is an outsider for Warren Gatland's 31-man squad.

Hook will make his 50th Test start against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and 16 of the 18 caps that he has won since the last World Cup have come off the bench.

He wasn't selected for the Six Nations and Rhys Priestland looks likely to be back-up to nailed-on number 10 Biggar.

Hook's versatility has been both a help and a hindrance through the years, it has ensured he has made many matchday squads yet it has also led to him being shifted around.

And one gets the impression that it will take something special against the Irish for Hook to make the cut.

"The build-up to the previous World Cups you knew in the back of your head if you keep fit you are probably going to go," he said.

"This time you are not certain and work that little bit harder to try and make the squad let alone the starting 23. It does drive you on and will probably mean more to me than the previous two World Cups."

Hook has been a victim of playing his rugby outside of Wales, first for Perpignan in the Top 14 and most recently for the Cherry and Whites in the Aviva Premiership.

He has been a fringe player for his country since the last World Cup when he endured a nightmare performance against France in the semi-final but quitting has never been an option.

"I never thought of packing it in," said the former Osprey. "It does get tough but when you see your mates out there you realise what a great atmosphere there is in the stadium with the Six Nations and the Autumn Internationals.

"You never want to turn your back on that. You are disappointed to miss out on the Six Nations but that only drives you on to work that little bit harder."

Hook will form an experienced half-back partnership with old Ospreys pal Mike Phillips and, amid all the talk of World Cup auditions, they will use their knowhow to calm down the excited novices.

"It's a one-off game for some of the players but you have to try and think of the team rather than yourself and hopefully it will come individually for you," he said.

"It's a huge opportunity with some uncapped players. It's up to us and Mike to help some of those young boys along."