Internationals - Peel recalled by Wales

Eurosport - Mon, 26 Oct 09:12:00 2009

Former Lion Dwayne Peel will contest the Wales scrumhalf position in the absence of the injured Mike Phillips in the November internationals after being named in coach Warren Gatland's 29-man squad Sunday.

RUGBY Dwayne Peel, Wales v New Zealand, November 2006 - 0

However, the Sale player, who won three caps on the 2005 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, will not be released by his club for Wales's opening match against the All Blacks in Cardiff on November 7.

Gareth Cooper and Martin Roberts are the other scrumhalves in the squad.

Peel (pictured), 28, was omitted from the Wales squad for this year's Six Nations championship.

Wales host Samoa on November 13, Argentina on November 21 and Australia on November 28. Ryan Jones, leader of the 2008 grand slam team, will captain the side.

British and Irish Lions trio Adam Jones, Lee Byrne and Phillips were ruled out through injury.

"It's ironic that we will have Dwayne to train with us for three days in test week, but that he will have to go back to Manchester on match day," Gatland said in a Welsh Rugby Union statement.

"It is a situation we have long been made aware of, accepted a long time ago and have made allowances for."

Gatland, who have been boosted by the return to fitness of Cardiff Blues pair Gethin Jenkins and Martyn Williams, named Newport flanker Dan Lydiate as his only uncapped player in an otherwise familiar squad.

"The selection process has been relatively simple for us. Generally we have gone for the incumbents in their positions at regional level and selection reflects the good form our Welsh sides have shown already this season," he said.

Squad

Backs: Dan Biggar, Gareth Cooper, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, James Hook, Tom James, Mark Jones, Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel, Jamie Roberts, Martin Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Shane Williams.

Forwards: Huw Bennett, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Paul James, Gethin Jenkins, Alun Wyn Jones, Dafydd Jones, Duncan Jones, Ryan Jones (captain), Dan Lydiate, Craig Mitchell, Andy Powell, Matthew Rees, Jonathan Thomas, Sam Warburton, Martyn Williams.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 9 of 9

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  1. You won,t see jonathan thomas he will be cited.

    From robertjones58, on Mon 26 Oct 10:59PM

  2. my forwards pack (because i agree with your backline)­ would be
    8. RJones
    7. MWilliams
    6. APowell
    5.­ JThomas
    4. AWJones
    3. PJames
    2. HBennett
    1.­ GJenkins
    Ryan Jones has GOT to play number 8, because­ he cannot play 6 internationally. he MUST captain from­ the base. Ian Gough has been ridiculously left out, but­ Jonathan Thomas has come back strong, so would take his­ start anyway. Paul James and Gethin can both play­ either side, so if youve gotta choose one to move over­ to 3, the youve gotta leave Gethin to do what he does­ best, otherwise too much is lost.
    Never realised how­ much Adam Jones was worth, i will not make that mistake­ again

    From moggie2727, on Mon 26 Oct 8:31PM

  3. this will be the team for the first test, i havn't­ put a replacement scrum half because shane williams is­ more than capable of covering the position and we can­ bring tom james or hooky to cover the wings. let me­ know what you all think
    15.halfpenny 14.m jones­ 13.shanklin 12.roberts 11.s williams 10.s jones­ 9.copper 8.m williams 7.powell 6.r jones 5.j­ davies/gough (depends if davies is given a 3 week ban­ for punching)4.aw jones 3.jenkins 2.rees 1.d jones
    16.c­ mitchell 17.bennett 18.d jones 19.hook 20.t james

    From matthewschris55, on Mon 26 Oct 8:00PM

  4. these 2 are not even playing full time rugby at­ present. Worcester scrum half Ryan Powell should have­ been called up consistant all season

    From alexward.devontradecentre, on Mon 26 Oct 3:12PM

  5. Wales should have known better and applied for Peel­ (and Roberts') release before the season started.­ However, it says much about the state of rugby when­ they have to play for a really poor side struggling in­ the Guinness on a @#$% pitch in a @#$% suberb of­ Manchester instead of playing in one of the highlights­ of the saeson - for Wales against the All Blacks in the­ Millenium Stadium. Rugby really has got its priorities­ wrong and, it has to be said, has Peel.

    From BigRich, on Mon 26 Oct 12:58PM

  6. it's a bit of a risk not having a recognised full­ back although this might be the shove that hook needs­ to establish himself as i can't see anyone else who­ would be a candidate and i can't see him displacing­ roberts in the centre or stephen jones at 10

    From DAMION, on Mon 26 Oct 12:21PM

  7. Peel is on top of his game at the moment , a great­ player

    From Julie, on Mon 26 Oct 10:11AM

  8. He`s a class player but i think Cooper will get the­ number 9 shirt

    From alan, on Mon 26 Oct 10:03AM

  9. Its about time Dwaine. Good luck!

    From CARLA, on Mon 26 Oct 9:42AM
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