Over the last 18 months Wales have contrived to lose close matches against Argentina, Australia, Italy and Fiji - the last of which condemned them to an early exit from the World Cup.

Wales, now under the guidance of New Zealander Warren Gatland, travel to Twickenham having not won at English rugby's headquarters in 20 years.

But Gatland has named a side featuring 13 of the Ospreys side that beat Guinness Premiership leaders Gloucester to reach the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

And Hook is confident Wales can take that same winning mentality into the RBS 6 Nations and prove they do not deserve to be tagged as international chokers.

"It will be a big help, especially as an outside half, to have all those familiar Ospreys around," said Hook.

"We showed against Gloucester we can beat any English side. We coped with their forward dominance early on and they didn't have an answer to us. I hope we can continue that momentum.

"The Gloucester game showed we can win big games and hopefully we can take that into the game against England.

"It is different at international level - but it is the same players in the team. I think we can go a long way in this championship. It all starts at Twickenham.

"If we can get a win there it sets up the whole championship and who knows what will happen."

Hook did not enjoy the best World Cup experience but it was largely thanks to him that Wales beat England in last year's RBS 6 Nations, a result which saved them from the ignominy of the wooden spoon.

"That England game was up there with my best for Wales and that is what we are looking to do - take those experiences into every game," said Hook.

"Last year playing in the 6 Nations I was relatively unknown. There is a lot more pressure on me in games now.

"The last year has been a big learning curve for me and hopefully I can take that experience into the 6 Nations.

"I think my game has developed. I have been learning how to control a game and close it out when we are in the lead. Last year I was doing it but not consistently enough."