Rhys Priestland was ruled out of the Wales team after injuring his shoulder in the quarterfinal win against Ireland, forcing coach Warren Gatland to hand utility back Hook a start in the only change to his lineup.

“I would say it’s not very good news for us,” Lievremont said on Friday.

Lievremont says Hook brings better options than Priestland, who France had been looking to target.

“Priestland’s an excellent player, but James Hook is obviously a very experienced player, a player I like a lot,” Lievremont said. “In my opinion Wales will be stronger with him than without him.”

Hook has played in 57 tests for Wales, compared to nine for Priestland.

Although Wales has been praised for the enthusiasm and youthful vigor running throughout Gatland’s team, Lievremont feels the 26-year-old Hook is reaching his peak years and is subsequently a great threat.

“I find him to be a more complete player, more experienced,” he said. “They are a very game, young team that has no complex. Experience counts for a lot at this level, and we’d also identified a few weak points in this young player (Priestland).”

Although Gatland does not expect Hook’s presence to fundamentally change the way Wales plays, he hopes his playmaker seizes his late opportunity and punishes France.

“He brings real quality. To have someone of his class coming into the side shows what a good position we’re in,” Gatland said. “James is excited about his opportunity and we know how capable he is. He is up to speed with the calls and were it not for his own shoulder injury, we would have looked at him at 10 a little earlier than this.”

France captain Thierry Dusautoir is looking forward to testing himself against opposing flanker Sam Warburton.

“Warburton is an excellent player who has managed to impose himself in that team,” Dusautoir said. “I think he will play at a high level for a long time to come.”

While France has won six of the last seven meetings between the teams, Dusautoir sees glimpses of the 2008 Six Nations Grand Slam champions in Gatland’s team.

“They’ve been playing quality rugby for a few years now, they have great enthusiasm in their game. From what we’ve seen at the World Cup they play magnificent rugby,” Dusautoir said. “I thought the two strongest teams in the competition were South Africa and Wales, so I’m not surprised to see them here.”