Jones fears Peel return to Wales

Dwayne Peel joined Sale Sharks from the Scarlets in the summer of 2008

Kingsley Jones concedes Dwayne Peel may leave Sale Sharks next year and return to Wales to revive his Welsh career.

The 28-year-old, who is out of contract with Sale next summer, is behind Mike Phillips in Wales coach Warren Gatland's scrum-half pecking order.

As Peel plays outside Wales, he has had availability issues for games outside the International Rugby Board window.

Asked about Peel's future, Sale director of rugby Jones admitted: "I'm sure there is a doubt in his mind."

Double Grand Slam winner Peel has been forced to miss crucial internationals - such as last week's autumn Test against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium - as the matches have been outside the designated IRB window.

The former Llanelli Scarlets star - who left to join Sale in the summer of 2008 - has been the victim of a club v country battle as Sale have no obligation to release Peel for Wales duty.

Wales' four regions struck a five-year deal - so they receive an extra £6m per season - with the Welsh Rugby Union in September to allow their Wales players to go on international duty even if a game is outside the designated Test match window.

Premier Rugby - the umbrella body that looks after England's Guinness Premiership clubs - would not permit Sale to release Peel for the All Blacks game and was subsequently a replacement in their LV= Cup opener at Newport Gwent Dragons.

Dwayne is a world class player. So he will stay with Sale Sharks if I have anything to do with it - but the decision is his

Sale Sharks director of rugby Kingsley Jones

So Cardiff Blues scrum-half Gareth Cooper played against New Zealand - and Peel has admitted his international ambitions will play a significant part in his long-term future.

And Sale chief Jones, himself a former Wales captain, admitted to BBC Wales' Scrum V show that Peel would be considering a move away from the Guinness Premiership club.

He said: "The best thing for Dwayne to play for Wales - and believe me he wants to play for Wales as much as any Welshman or more than - and if it is going to impact on his international career, I'm sure he'll give some serious thought as to whether he stays with us.

"I'm sure Warren only wants to play him for two or three of the autumn series games anyway but unfortunately the All Blacks game is the only one that falls outside the window - but, of course, that is the most important game for the Welsh.

"I guess it is Dwayne's decision."

Peel's availability would put the Welsh regions on red alert as players of his quality rarely become free - however, his wage demands may be a stumbling block.

Lions scrum-half Phillips is the number one of the half-a-dozen number nines at the Ospreys so the Liberty Stadium would be an unlikely destination.

The Blues boast Cooper, Wayne Evans is the cash-strapped Dragons' scrum-half while Martin Roberts is the current scrum-half at his former club the Scarlets.

"Ultimately I don't know which region would he go to?," said Jones.

"And if he is not going to go to a region then he is best off staying with Sale Sharks."

Peel's move to England has been a constant issue for Wales as he was initially omitted from Gatland's Six Nations squad earlier this year before winning a late call.

606: DEBATE

It is good to have Peel back, he needs a bit more game time to get back to his very best

Freddie1973

The 2005 Lions tourist is the only non-Welsh based player in Wales' autumn internationals squad.

But he was hampered as Peel was not released to train - unlike the other squad members - with the national squad for the whole 13 days before the All Black opener.

Peel's year has been hampered by hamstring and groin injuries but he did, though, win his 70th cap in their 17-13 win over Samoa last Friday.

And former Wales scrum-half Robert Jones told Scrum V show: "I thought he was excellent as his service was excellent and he looked sharp.

But his namesake Kingsley hopes he extends his two-year stay at Edgeley Park.

"Dwayne is a world class player," said Jones.

"So he will stay with Sale Sharks if I have anything to do with it - but the decision is his."