Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins today (Friday) backed James Hook to follow in his boot steps and kick his side to victory against Canada in the Rugby World Cup Pool B opener at Stade la Beaujoire on Sunday (Kick-2.00pm).

Jenkins knows what it is like to lose against the Canucks, going down 26-24 at Cardiff Arms Park in 1993 in Wales's only defeat to the nation, but he has also been on the winning side twice and scored a total of 70 points - including one try - across the three matches.

"James is a quality player, a natural rugby player and a top talent," said Jenkins.

"He's still only a youngster, in his first season of professional rugby but he already has 15 caps to his name and he's proved himself at this level already.

"His temperament is spot on. If things go wrong he has that capacity to put it out of his system and move on immediately.

"He's worked and worked on his game and has plenty of time yet to just get better and better.

"We know how tough it's going to be against Canada, but we are also backing ourselves and James won't
be fazed by the big occasion.

"This is the third biggest sporting event in the world, it's a huge tournament and is only shadowed by the Olympics and the Football World Cup.

"We are all itching to get out there now and play rugby on the greatest stage there is."