Peel is the only Scarlets player not to be released by Wales

Wales coach Scott Johnson has released eight Scarlets players for the clash at the Millennium Stadium but has chosen not to allow Peel to play.

And Ashton said: "That's a disappointment for me because I rate him really highly.

"When you play sides like Llanelli you want all the big stars playing."

Johnson refused permission for Peel to play because he did not want to risk him picking up an injury before Wales' Six Nations game with Italy on 11 March.

The Welsh Rugby Union and Wales' four professional regional teams have an agreement that a player expected to be on international starting duty can be stood down from club duties the previous week.

Although the Scarlets are keen to make a stand, it looks likely Peel will miss Saturday's contest.

We will both have a crack at one another within the spirit of the game Bath coach Brian Ashton

Ashton added: "You don't want guys who are world-class players sat on the touchline watching the game - that seems a bit silly in a semi-final.

"I think the way Nick Walshe has been playing for us - he's probably been the form number nine in the Premiership over the last four or five weeks - it would have been a great tussle between them."

Bath hope prop Matt Stevens will be fit to take on the Scarlets after he missed the game with Scotland.

However, they look set to be without wing David Bory (hamstring) and full-back Michael Stephenson (shoulder).

Ashton is looking forward to the contest and expects that the crowd will see an exciting game.

"The Scarlets have been known traditionally through the years for being prepared to play rugby, whatever the weather conditions and whatever the circumstances," he said.

"There were some fantastic games between the clubs in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

"We will both have a crack at one another within the spirit of the game.

"Any semi-final and an occasion like this is very important. There is a lot of personal and team pride at stake. It is a route into Europe and it is a pretty exciting occasion."