Peel to return for Wales

Wales head coach Warren Gatland looks set to name Sale scrum-half Dwayne Peel in his matchday 22 for the RBS 6 Nations showdown with France at the Millennium Stadium on Friday.

The Sale scrum-half, who has recovered from the groin injury that saw him miss Wales’ clashes with England and Scotland, was called into Gatland’s 34-man squad having proved his fitness by playing 80 minutes of the Sharks 19-10 Guinness Premiership defeat by Leeds over the weekend.

Peel’s availability will come as a relief as Gareth Cooper has struggled in the starting role thus far in the championship and Gatland is glad to have 72-times capped Peel available for selection.

“It was important for us to see Dwayne come through 80 minutes of rugby,” he said.

“But, once he proved his fitness, it’s obvious that a player of his experience and talents would provide a welcome boost to any squad.”

Cooper’s Cardiff Blues colleague Richie Rees impressed coming off the bench in the defeat at Twickenham and the dramatic victory over Scotland, and he appears to be the favourite to secure his first start for his country when Gatland names his side at 5pm today.

British and Irish Lion Mike Phillips, who has been out since October due to an ankle ligament injury, made his return to competitive action yesterday in Ospreys’ Magners League win over Connacht.

But he has not been called into Gatland’s squad and looks set to have to wait for the games against Ireland and Italy on the final two weekends of the championship to add to his 38 caps.