James Hook: My style does not fit Warren Gatland's plans

James Hook says he was not surprised to be left out of the British and Irish Lions and Wales tours this summer.

The 70-times capped Perpignan fly-half believes his style of play does not fit with the plans of Wales and Lions coaches Warren Gatland and Rob Howley.

"They go for big players just to get over the gainline - that's probably why in the last two years I haven't figured in the plans," Hook said.

However, Hook plans to play against the Lions for the Barbarians on 1 June.

Ironically, Hook last started a game for Wales against the Baa-Baas in the 30-21 victory in June 2012.

He was on the bench for Wales' Six Nations, with Dan Biggar of the Ospreys getting the nod ahead of him at fly-half following the injury to Scarlets stand-off Rhys Priestland.

His opportunities in the centre have been limited by the emergence of Jonathan Davies as a partner to 2009 Lions star Jamie Roberts.

But Hook, who has won caps at full-back, centre and fly-half, says he has no intention of quitting international rugby.

"I love playing for my country, but it's really frustrating that obviously I don't fit in to the coach's plans," he said.

"But I'm not going to say I'm turning my back on international rugby because I love playing for Wales so much and there's so many players out there that would rip someone's hand off to play for Wales just once.

"So whether it's frustrating, I've just got to knuckle down and do well for my club."

Hook would have been a surprise inclusion in the 37-man Lions squad, which includes 15 Welsh players.

However, it was a surprise to many when he and several other senior players were not included in the Wales squad which plays two Tests in Japan in June.

The player himself says he was not shocked at the news.

"I half expected that in a way because obviously there are so many of the Welsh boys going with the Lions then I knew they [Wales] wanted to take a lot of the younger boys [to Japan]," admitted Hook.

"In fairness [interim Wales coach] Robin McBryde rang me up I had a good chat to him and he explained his reasons for leaving myself, Ryan [Jones], Paul James, Matthew Rees and Lee Byrne behind."

Hook, 27, is looking forward to facing the Lions in Hong Kong on 1 June after receiving an invitation to play for the Barbarians.

"I was thrilled when they rung me up, it's something I haven't done and it means a lot in rugby," he said.

"Growing up I watched the Barbarians and just to be involved with great players now coming up in the next couple of weeks is something I'm really looking forward to."