Peel injury blow for Wales

Gatland names 35-man squad for Six Nations

Last updated: 18th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Peel injury blow for Wales

Peel: groin injury

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Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel has been ruled out of the Six Nations opener against England with a groin injury.

Peel was due to undergo a scan on Monday after suffering the injury in Sale Sharks' Heineken Cup defeat against Cardiff Blues on Saturday.

Peel is not included in the 35-man Six Nations squad announced by Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

"We are not 100% sure how long Dwayne is going to be out for," said Gatland.

"We are just going to assess him over the next few weeks and, when he is back fully fit, we will make a decision on him."

With Peel's fellow British and Irish Lion Mike Phillips also sidelined due to injury, Scarlets' number nine Martin Roberts is favourite to start at Twickenham on February 6.

Gatland has named young Ospreys Tom Prydie and Kristian Phillips in his squad, together with Saracens prop Rhys Gill and in-form Blues scrum-half Richie Rees.

But the youngsters are backed up by the return of several experienced players, including Ospreys stars Lee Byrne and Adam Jones.

There are also places for Blues forwards Gareth Williams and Deiniol Jones, together with Sale prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts.

Captain

Ryan Jones will skipper the side for the Six Nations campaign.

"We are now at the beginning of our countdown to the World Cup and this

slightly larger squad reflects that," said Gatland.

"We have brought in some youngsters to put some pressure on some of our senior players and to help increase the depth we have in certain positions.

"Kristian is a good example of an exciting young player, he has just won the Principality player of the month award and scored five tries in one match for Neath, he is skilful and very quick.

Cover

"Elsewhere we are very happy to welcome back the likes of Adam (Jones) and Lee (Byrne) who were both obviously missed in the Autumn, although at full-back in particular a certain James Hook provided more than ample cover.

"Our first match at Twickenham could set the tone for the Championship for both sides, we will both be desperate to win that first up match.

"We then come to the Millennium Stadium for two home matches and the support we have there will make a huge difference to us."

Gatland admits this season's Heineken Cup campaign, where both England and Wales are struggling to secure significant representation in the quarter-finals, is a worrying factor ahead of the Six Nations tournament.

"There are two countries going into the Six Nations at the moment a little bit concerned about where their teams are," he added.

"Potentially, you have four French pool winners and two Irish winners in the Heineken Cup, although Leicester, Northampton and the Ospreys and London Irish have a chance.

"That is not just a concern for England, it has to be a concern for Wales as well."

Wales squad

Backs: D Biggar (Ospreys), A Bishop (Ospreys), L Byrne (Ospreys), G Cooper (Cardiff Blues), J Davies (Scarlets), L Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys), T James (Cardiff Blues), S Jones (Scarlets), K Phillips (Ospreys), T Prydie (Ospreys), R Rees (Cardiff Blues), J Roberts (Cardiff Blues), M Roberts (Scarlets), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), S Williams (Ospreys).
Forwards: H Bennett (Ospreys), L Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), B Davies (Cardiff Blues), R Gill (Saracens), I Gough (Ospreys), P James (Ospreys), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), A Jones (Ospreys), AW Jones (Ospreys), D Jones (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (captain), E Lewis-Roberts (Sale) , D Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Powell (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Scarlets), J Thomas (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues), G Williams (Cardiff Blues), M Williams (Cardiff Blues).