Wales are confident Rhys Priestland is ready for 6 Nations duty
Tuesday 19 January 2016 23:11, UK
Wales assistant coach Rob Howley says that Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland did not make himself unavailable for selection at the start of the season.
The 29-year-old Priestland, who has 40 international caps, began life at Bath in October and it was believed that he was taking an 18-month sabbatical from Test rugby.
However, it was reported three weeks ago that Priestland had decided to make himself available for internationals after all and he was duly named in a 37-man RBS 6 Nations squad on Tuesday.
And Howley has now announced that head coach Warren Gatland and his staff were not aware that Priestland had ever been out of the picture.
"He never told us he would not be available after joining Bath," said Howley.
"He has always been available to be selected by Wales, and there has never been a conversation with him suggesting otherwise."
Priestland has not seen much action at Bath but Wales are confident he will be able to deliver if he is called on to relieve first-choice number ten Dan Biggar.
"He (Priestland) has been very confident about where his game is at, and we are confident he will be able to do what he has done in the past," Howley added.
