Peel relishing Jones reunion

Welsh duo to re-unite for clash with Australia in Cardiff

By Nicola Bamford   Last updated: 25th November 2009  

Peel relishing Jones reunion

Peel and Jones: Re-united

We haven't played together for a while, so it will be good to get back to old ways

Dwayne Peel
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Sale Sharks' Dwayne Peel is relishing the opportunity to rekindle one of Welsh rugby's most prolific half-back partnerships.

The 28-year-old will join forces with Scarlets' fly-half Stephen Jones for the first time since February 2008 against Australia on Saturday.

The combination of Peel - a scrum-half - and Jones began almost 10 years ago as they embarked on richly-promising club careers with the Llanelli club.

Between them, they have now amassed 153 Welsh caps and toured three times with the British and Irish Lions, and the sense of excitement is undiminished.

Instinctive understanding

"We haven't played together for a while, so it will be good to get back to old ways," said Peel.

"I was lucky enough to play with Stephen for about seven or eight years, so it's good to get back and pass him a few balls again.

"As the years go by, the partnership gets stronger the more games you play. It has definitely grown over the years. We know what each other wants, and that becomes a habit. You know how each other likes certain passes, or whatever, and that's important.

"It has become an instinctive understanding."

Peel will end Wales' autumn series where he hopes to start their RBS Six Nations campaign in just over two months' time - wearing the number nine shirt.

Scrum-half battle

However, he knows nothing can be guaranteed, especially with this year's Lions Test scrum-half Mike Phillips likely to be fit again following an ankle injury that sidelined him for the November internationals.

Peel, though, is happy for a chance against Australia, having started Wales' autumn programme watching from the stands.

"In the past, perhaps when we've played the likes of New Zealand or Australia, we were happy to compete.

"But we need to step up and win games like this one if we are realistic of going on and being successful in the (2011) World Cup."

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