Peel poised to test Union’s new ruling

Jan 13 2008 by Simon Roberts, Wales On Sunday

WELSH rugby’s new ‘home rule’ strategy will be tested to the full by out-of-contract stars this summer.

The Welsh Rugby Union unveiled their controversial new selection strategy when they warned star names they ‘may not’ be considered for Wales if they turn their back on the four regions.

But the new rule, already being dubbed ‘The Peel law’, will come sharply into focus when a number of top stars – spearheaded by scrum-half Dwayne Peel – reach the end of their contracts.

And new Wales chief Warren Gatland admits he fears an exodus of star players.

“I do have concerns about Welsh players leaving,” said Gatland. “I want them to stay and this is the reason behind this policy.

“I don’t know the individual contractual situation of players.”

Peel is out of contract with the Scarlets in the summer and is understood to be considering his future in Wales.

So the 26-year-old could find himself as the central figure in the battle to establish the WRU’s new strategy.

He has been linked with Heineken Cup champions London Wasps and fellow Guinness Premiership side Saracens, but the 58-times-capped Welsh international is understood to favour a move to France.

His Wales, Lions and Scarlets half-back partner Stephen Jones, who is a close friend, has always declared his two-year spell with Clermont Auvergne in France made him a better player.

Peel is at the right age to make a move, and may fancy a change after spending most of his career at Stradey and in Wales.

Reigning French champions Stade Francais are known to be in the market for a world class No 9 after the departure of Agustin Pichot and Peel would be the ‘perfect fit’ for the Paris-based outfit.

Stade’s millionaire chairman, Max Guzzani, made an audacious bid to lure Peel’s Wales rival, Mike Phillips, to the French capital last season.

Phillips rejected the move and left the Blues for a £180,000-a-year deal with Welsh rivals, the Ospreys.

Gatland, though, did underline the fact that he has pressing concerns about the non-Welsh players playing for the Welsh regions.

“I do think there are too many foreign players here,” said Gatland.

“I know the regions want success in Europe, but I do question some of the journeymen overseas players here.

“I am sure there are Welsh players who could do as good a job as some of the overseas players playing in Wales.

“I am not talking about the likes of Justin Marshall, Marty Holah, Regan King or Xavier Rush. We all know the value they have brought. It’s just that too many foreign players waters down the pool of talent we have.”

Peel isn’t the only Welsh international who is out of contract.

Jones, the Wales and Scarlets fly-half, has an option for another year at Stradey but could decide againts it.

Scarlets duo Dafydd Jones and Alix Popham are also open for negotiation. Popham, of course, re-established his rugby career with the Leeds Tykes after a frustrating time at Newport.

Michael Owen, the Wales and Lions No 8, is another who is out of contract and is known to be considering his future.

Two Dragons teammates and fellow Welsh internationals, Ceri Sweeney and Colin Charvis, are the other big names at Rodney Parade whose deals run out.

Charvis has had stints in England and France before he returned to Wales.

The WRU clearly want to adopt a similar, but watered down version, of the ‘home-rule’ used by New Zealand and Australian rugby. Kiwis and Aussies relinquish their international ambitions when they leave their countries.

The WRU and the four regions released a statement claiming they agreed the new strategy on Friday. It will now be ratified by the WRU Board at a meeting on January 24.

Richard Harry, chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Players Association, admitted he would be taking legal advice if that happened.

Harry also said he didn’t see the new agreement stopping internationals playing outside Wales’ borders.

“I don’t see this proposal stopping players pursuing playing careers outside of Wales,” said Harry.

“The reasons for that are many-fold.

“Rugby careers at the professional end of the game are notoriously short and if a player has the opportunity to play for Leicester or Toulouse in England or France, they will take it.

“I don’t believe the players will pass up the chance to maximise their potential because of the recent statements by the WRU.”