No 9 legend happy to see Dwayne back in groove

Feb 13 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

ROBERT JONES has hailed the return of Dwayne Peel to the Wales No 9 jersey saying he is close to being the best scrum-half in world rugby.

And the Wales scrum-half legend believes Peel’s six-week layoff can have only helped him regain his form of Wales’ Grand Slam season.

“Technically, Dwayne is better than most scrum-halves in world rugby and a confident Dwayne Peel is as good as anyone,” said British Lion Jones.

“So if you can rejuvenate him and get that confidence back then you have got a player, who was setting the world alight two or three years ago, back into the groove.

“He is still a young man with a lot of rugby left in him. They say form is temporary and class is permanent – that certainly sums up Dwayne.”

Peel, one of six changes made for the Italy came by coach Warren Gatland, got the nod ahead of No 9 rival Mike Phillips after his fine 22 minutes as a replacement last weekend.

He was sharp and incisive and his performance had much to do with Wales taking their lead from just two points to 15 by the end.

“When he came on at the weekend he looked sharp and certainly lifted the tempo of the game. His service was good and it was a good springboard to take into starting against Italy,” added Jones.

“It’s good to see him back. He has been away for six weeks through injury and in some ways that injury was a blessing.

“He needed a break. When he plays he works his socks off and tries his best. In some ways having a break has allowed him to refocus and refresh, which is probably what he needed.

“When you have been playing in a side like the Scarlets who haven’t performed particularly well you yourself can suffer. But I have never thought he has played particularly badly this year. He hasn’t really had the breaks or the opportunities and probably to some degree your self-confidence will go a bit.”

As well as Peel the Scarlets have Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees and Mark Jones in the starting line-up against Italy.

And the Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies said he was delighted that Peel, Stephen Jones and Rees had some recognition for the impact they made as replacements against Scotland.

“I’m pleased for them. It’s great they are getting a start because they have done well off the bench.

“It would be great to see the two of them (Peel and Stephen Jones) playing every game for the rest of the season without having any more injury problems.”

But none of the Scarlets’ Wales squad players will be available to them for their Magners League clash against Glasgow at Stradey Park on Friday night.

For that encounter Samoa hooker Mahonri Schwalger makes his first start. The 29-year-old came on as a replacement in the 41-0 home defeat to Clermont Auvergne but with James Hayter (shoulder) and Ken Owens (knee) sidelined he will wear the No 2 jersey.

Also in the pack Lou Reed makes his first Scarlets start after returning from a loan spell with Rotherham, while skipper Simon Easterby has returned from the Ireland camp and is named among the replacements.

Scarlets: M Stoddart; D James, R King, G Evans, M Watkins; R Priestland, G Cattle; I Thomas, M Schwalger, D Manu, V Cooper, L Reed, D Jones, N Thomas, J Bater (capt). Replacements: P John, D George, S Easterby, D Day, L Davies, C Thomas, D Daniel