Wales coach Warren Gatland has drafted Dwayne Peel into his squad for Friday's Six Nations showdown with France.
Scrum-half back in international fold after proving fitness
Wales coach Warren Gatland has drafted Dwayne Peel into his squad for Friday's RBS Six Nations showdown with France at the Millennium Stadium.
The Sale scrum-half has overcome a groin injury and proved his fitness by playing 80 minutes for the Sharks in their 19-10 Guinness Premiership defeat against Leeds on Friday night.
Peel will replace Scarlets number nine Martin Roberts who has now been released back to his region.
Peel, 28, originally sustained his groin injury in Sale's Heineken Cup defeat at Cardiff Blues last month.
That left Gatland short of options at scrum-half with British and Irish Lion Mike Phillips also laid low by injury and missing for Wales' opening two games against England and Scotland.
However, Peel is now ready to make his return and Gatland believes he will provide the Wales team with a real boost.
"It was important for us to see Dwayne come through 80 minutes of rugby," he stated.
"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."
Although he came through the Leeds match unscathed, Peel is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench against France with Cardiff's Richie Rees set to start.
Phillips, who has been out since October due to an ankle ligament injury, made his return to competitive action on Sunday in Ospreys' Magners League win over Connacht and may well come into contention for Wales' clashes with Ireland and Italy on the final two weekends of the Six Nations.
