Wales internationals James Hook and Philippa Tuttiett picked their starting team to face the Brave Blossoms

Wales international James Hook has urged Steve Tandy to pick Macs Page against Japan, revealing the exciting young winger's rise reminds him of the impact football superstar Wayne Rooney made when he first emerged.

Hook also believes in-form Taine Basham deserves a start, insisting his squad call-up must not be a "token gesture".

Steve Tandy's men kick off their second Nations Championship phase on Saturday against Eddie Jones' Brave Blossoms.

The Wales head coach is due to name his team on Thursday.

With Hook and former Wales international Philippa Tuttiett in the BBC Scrum V studio, the duo picked their starting XV alongside presenters Lauren Salter and Gareth Rhys Owen.

"I think he'll go Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake and Tom Francis is back in," said Hook, starting with the front row.

"Rhys Carre would be a good option but I think he's only played 47 minutes this season so I don't think he's fit. It's a toss between Gareth Thomas and Nicky Smith, I think Smith will start in the loosehead."

Both Hook and Tuttiett agreed that Dafydd Jenkins and Ben Carter would be the second row combination. "Ben Carter deserves his start," added Hook.

"I think he's been really good for club and country when he's had his opportunity. He's a proper workhorse and they'll combine well, Dafydd Jenkins and Carter."

The duo favoured Teddy Williams to Adam Beard as a bench option.

In the back row, Hook wants to see Tandy reward Basham for his form in the early part of the season. "I would go Basham," he said. "You've got to, on his form," added Tuttiett.

"What I don't like, over the years, you pick a token selection because he's on form with his region," Hook said. "Basham has been outstanding, end of last season, started the season really well.

"We talk about the lack of ball carriers in the Welsh squad. You look at that back row of Basham, (Aaron) Wainwright), Jac Morgan, I think that can work. Just depends whether you put Wainwright at eight or Basham at eight."

Tomos Williams with Reuben Morgan-Williams on the bench was the pick at nine, while the fly-half debate, typically, raged, as Dan Edwards and Sam Costelow were compared and contrasted.

Hook said: "Dan is a more of an attacking threat, his pace is probably the difference between the two. He challenges the line a little bit more. Costelow is a controlling 10, he's very good defensively. It's tough selection for the coaches but for me our attacking side needs to improve, I would start him (Edwards) at 10.

"His kicking game is very good, that battle throughout autumn we will see both get game-time but against Japan I think we'll see Dan start at 10."

Tuttiett concurred with Hook over that call.

Hook plumped for Max Llewellyn at 12, conceding he thinks Tandy will go with Eddie James at 13 and Joe Hawkins at 12 as his midfield combination.

Louis Rees-Zammit should be picked "where he's good" according to Tuttiett in his favoured wing spot.

"I didn't mind him at full-back," she said. "He ticked a lot of boxes during the Six Nations but I think you are forcing him into 15. He's natural on the wing."

"That experiment at 15 is over now," added Hook. "He filled in there, his best position is definitely on the wing. He looks more threatening."

At 15, the consensus was Blair Murray, with Josh Adams possibly on the other flank, but Hook also made a case for Scarlets youngster Page to be involved.

"Something about Macs Page reminds me of Wayne Rooney when he was coming through at 16," he said. "You just want to see him on the ball. Every time he touches it, something is going to happen."

He added: "If he doesn't play against Japan, it's difficult to put him in against Australia or New Zealand. Then you come to the Six Nations, then you've got the World Cup. This is the perfect opportunity to put him in - what have you got to lose?"