Peel returns a fortnight earlier than predicted and will be hoping to rekindle his chances for selection for the British Lions tour of South Africa this summer, as well as enhancing Sale’s Guinness Premiership play-off prospects.
The former Llanelli Scarlets scrum-half was initially left out of Warren Gatland’s Wales squad for the ’09 Six Nations campaign, but injury to Gloucester’s Gareth Cooper re-opened the door for him before a ball was thrown.
Peel went on to play a part from the bench in victories against Scotland and England as well as the loss to France, before being named to start against Italy.
An injury picked up whilst playing for Sale – when he returned to club duty during the down weekend for international rugby, after Gatland had named his side to travel to Rome – meant the incumbent Mike Phillips retained the number 9 shirt after all and 23-year-old London Irish squad player Warren Fury was drafted in.
“The season starts on Friday, we have four games to play and we will do everything possible to get into the play-off positions,” said the Sale Sharks director of rugby and former Wales flanker Kingsley Jones.
“I am delighted that we have Mark Cueto, Andrew Sheridan, Mathew Tait, Jason White and Lionel Faure back, following the six nations. We are also delighted to see Lee Thomas, Richard Wigglesworth and Dwayne Peel fit again too.
“On the injury front Sebastien Chabal, Rory Lamont and Luke McAlister will hopefully be back for next week’s game at Leicester Tigers.
“Bath are a good side, well coached and like to play rugby. Preparations are going well and my players are looking forward to the game.”
Sale’s side also features four other Welshman, the 24-times capped Brent Cockbain, prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts – who will be looking to add to his Wales cap earned last November by making the international tour of Canada and USA this summer – and Nick Macleod and Lee Thomas, both also on the international radar.
Sharks Team: Nick Macleod, Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait, Lee Thomas, Oriol Ripol, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Andrew Sheridan, Sebastien Bruno, Eifion Lewis-Roberts, Chris Jones, Brent Cockbain, Jason White, Neil Briggs, JM Fernandez Lobbe
Replacements: Lionel Faure, Stuart Turner, Sean Cox, David Tait, Dwayne Peel, Rudi Keil, Selorm Kuadey
