The British & Irish Lions have called James Hook into the squad as a replacement for the injured Leigh Halfpenny. Halfpenny will miss the beginning of the tour due to a thigh injury, but is expected to rejoin the squad after intensive treatment. The replacement player will however stay with the squad throughout the tour, regardless of Halfpenny's return.

Unveiling Hook, Tour Manager Gerald Davies said, "Leigh Halfpenny has returned to Cardiff where he is to undergo treatment for his thigh injury. As the injury means he will miss the start of the tour Ian McGeechan and his fellow selectors have called up James Hook to the squad for the tour to South Africa."

Commenting on the replacement Head Coach Ian McGeechan said, "After analysing our requirements for a replacement as we head to South Africa on Sunday we decided that James was the ideal person to come into the tour squad."

"A very important consideration for us was to strengthen the goal kicking options in the squad. James is an accomplished goal kicker and has scored over 200 points for his country in his 33 appearances. Also, he has played at fly half, centre and fullback for Wales but is also comfortable at outside centre."

"He is very familiar with other backs in the squad having played in the same Welsh team as Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams and Lee Byrne. Three of these also play in the Ospreys team with him that also includes Tommy Bowe. Therefore there is an existing understanding between all of these players."

"James has been pulled out of the Wales tour to Canada and USA by the Welsh Rugby Union. He was due to leave with them today for Canada but instead James will now join us in camp in Bagshot. We are very grateful to the WRU for releasing James for the British & Irish Lions tour."

Hook's announcement comes as something of a surprise. Delon Armitage of London Irish and England was the clear front runner to fill the slot, offering similar goal kicking and positional utility options to Leigh Halfpenny. Armitage was probably unlucky to miss out on the original tour selection, so being overlooked as a replacement for Halfpenny will be especially galling.

As a fly-half/centre and occasional full-back who hasn't yet found their position of choice, Hook is something of a different animal to Halfpenny. Goal-kicking has clearly been an important factor in selection and his choice over Armitage, may be a tacit acknowledgement of a squad weakness in this area.

Hook was due to tour North America this summer with the Welsh national side and Ospreys centre Sonny Parker will replace him.

Cardiff Blues stand-off Nicky Robinson has confirmed that Lions coach Rob Howley has let him know that he’s on the Lions standby list. In the event of injury, Robinson will be drafted into the squad.

"It's great to be on that list. I'm just trying to finish off the season well and playing as well as I can."

After a run of excellent form for Cardiff, most notably in their demolition of Gloucester in the EDF cup final, the fly-half is set to make his return to the Welsh number 10 jersey this summer as Wales travel to North America for matches against Canada and the United States.