Fly-half Hook was the dominant force in an enthralling Millennium Stadium encounter, amassing 22 points as Englands distant title hopes floundered and left France celebrating a successful defence of their crown.

In a game which constantly ebbed and flowed, 21-year-old Hook kept his composure to claim a try, conversion, drop-goal and four penalties.

Prop Chris Horsman also touched down, but England - 15-0 adrift after just 14 minutes - played their part in a thrilling spectacle as scrum-half Harry Ellis and wing Jason Robinson scored tries.

The visitors drew level at 18-18, but Hook once again raised himself to another level, scoring all of Wales second-half points and leaving Scotland as recipients of the wooden spoon.

Hook, who only started in the number 10 shirt due to Stephen Jones wrist injury, displayed a maturity way beyond his years, and England could not respond with an organiser and tactical controller of similar stature.

After events in Rome and Paris, England need a fanciful 57-point winning margin to secure an improbable RBS 6 Nations title triumph, but they ended up suffering a sixth successive loss away from Twickenham.

Hook booted Wales ahead inside 100 seconds and Wales struck an opening blow when Hook crossed for a try after opposite number Toby Flood saw his attempted clearance charged down while visiting number eight Joe Worsley was receiving treatment.

The fly-half added the conversion, but a groggy Worsley went off to be replaced by Magnus Lund, meaning a switch from blindside flanker for debutant James Haskell.

Hook rifled over a 45-metre penalty not long before Wales claimed their second try. Hook and skipper Gareth Thomas played pivotal roles during the build-up before Horsman claimed the touchdown. Hook narrowly missed the conversion.

England desperately needed inspiration, and it arrived in the towering form of skipper Mike Catt four minutes before half-time.

He left Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel for dead before kicking into the Wales 22 and continuing his lung-busting run. The supporting Ellis reacted superbly to touch down and put England back in the contest.

Flood converted, then landed an angled drop-goal, hauling England even further back into contention at 15-10.

Wales edged eight points clear when Hook booted a 25-metre penalty but Ellis then scooted away in open play and his superbly-timed pass enabled Robinson to sprint clear and touch down.

England suffered a setback early in the second period when Catt, who had battled all week to overcome a hamstring problem, limped off to be replaced by his London Irish colleague Shane Geraghty.

Robinson took over as skipper, and Flood hauled England level with a 44th-minute penalty.

Hook hoisted Wales 21-18 in front with 17 minutes remaining and the fly-half continued to torment England, slotting a drop-goal before kicking another penalty to open up a nine-point gap and leave England reflecting on third place in the championship.