One clear message we can draw from Mr Lew's selection is that President Obama feels more self-confident now than he did four years ago, at least when it comes to picking his top economic officials.

BBC: Obama puts a trusted man at the Treasury

Hook appeared in the number 12 jersey last weekend in the Ospreys' 32-32 Heineken Cup draw at Leicester as Biggar won their selection debate.

BBC: Hook considered as Byrne stand-in

"The benchmark for a lot of the squad was the Six Nations and then looking at some club form and assessing whether there was the same physical intensity to draw comparison and then finally make the selection of those players, " Gatland told reporters after the announcement Tuesday.

WSJ: Lions Reflect Welsh Success