Gloucester five-eighth James Hook was called into Wales’s squad on Sunday for their remaining November internationals after fellow No.10 Dan Biggar suffered a groin strain in the 33-28 defeat by the Wallabies.

The 29-year-old Hook has won 76 caps but has rarely enjoyed the full confidence of Welsh coach Warren Gatland, with the New Zealander seemingly mistrustful of the playmaker’s talent.

Hook’s versatility — he has also played Tests at fullback and centre — has proved as much a hindrance as a help in establishing himself as a first-choice player while Gatland has been in charge of Wales.

However, Biggar’s injury means Hook could be called on for Saturday’s Millennium Stadium clash with Fiji.

“Hook will link up with the squad tomorrow (Monday) when they gather to prepare for Saturday’s clash against Fiji,” said a Welsh Rugby Union statement issued on Sunday.

“No players have been released from the squad.”

Fullback Leigh Halfpenny suffered what has been described as mild concussion during the Wallabies clash.

But with Wales welcoming world champions New Zealand (November 22) and South Africa (November 29) to Cardiff later this month, ace goalkicker Halfpenny may well have been rested for the Fiji match in any event.

Liam Williams is in line to take over at No.15 for the clash with the Pacific Islanders, who began their tour of Europe with a 40-15 defeat by France in Marseille.

Worryingly for Wales, Saturday’s loss was their 10th successive defeat by Australia – one of their opponents in the pool stages of next year’s World Cup.

The result also meant Wales had won just one out of 26 Tests against the ‘big three’ nations of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, and suffered 21 straight defeats by the trio, since Gatland took charge in 2008.

Wales’s display on Saturday was summed up by the performance of halfback Rhys Webb, who scored an early try but then gifted an intercept try to Australian fullback Israel Folau.

“I was happy with my try, but then I gave away a silly interception,” said Webb. “If it had gone to Liam Williams, it would have been a different story, but it is one of those things. Onwards and upwards.”