Wales drop Jones and Hook for November Tests

Adam Jones and James Hook will not feature for Wales next month after being left out of the squad by head coach Warren Gatland.
Gloucester‘s Hook sees the in-form Dan Biggar and Rhys Priestland get the nod over him while Jones, who suffered a dip in form since joining the Cardiff Blues last summer, also misses out with the uncapped Osprey Nicky Smith preferred in the 34-man squad.
Wales will play four Tests in November facing Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa at the Millennium.
“We are really happy with the squad, there is a lot of experience that has come back in, 12 players who were injured in the summer and didn’t tour South Africa, they are back and fit and we have a couple of exciting youngsters as well,” said Gatland.
“Nicky Smith has been playing exceptionally well for the Ospreys and we have been impressed with him and it’s a great opportunity.
“When you look through the squad there is a huge amount of experience. We’ve taken a lot of things into account and made some tough decisions.
“We’ve had to weigh up a balance of players who play in Wales and outside, due to how often they can train and are with us but we are really happy with the squad.
“We are looking to the future and the next 12 months ahead with this squad but it doesn’t close the door for anyone not selected.”
Wales
Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester Rugby), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), James King (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, Captain), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Dan Baker (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Dragons).
Backs: Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), James Roberts (Racing Metro), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Tom Prydie (Dragons), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Liam Williams (Scarlets).