Gomersall is on a one-year deal at Leeds

Leeds Carnegie scrum-half Andy Gomarsall faces a tough fight to regain his place, according to club director of rugby Andy Key.

The former England star has not been included in either of Leeds' last two match-day squads since returning from a leg injury.

"Scott Mathie has taken his chance while Andy's been out and deserves the shirt," Key told BBC Radio Leeds.

"Andy is hugely disappointed but we want competition for places."

Gomarsall, 33, was Leeds' first choice scrum-half before picking up a ligament injury during his 200th Premiership appearance away at Sale in mid-February.

It forced him to miss Leeds' next three matches, but the world-cup winner had successfully come through a reserve team match ahead of the bank holiday weekend clash with Northampton Saints.

Key explained: "It's about selecting on ability and what people are doing. 'Gommers' has had a bit of an injury and other people have stepped up.

"While he was away we beat Wasps and Saracens and also went on to win that Sale game. So Scott has provided huge evidence that he deserves that slot.

"But want we want and need is pressure coming in from behind the first XV and that's what we have now. That's great and we know Andy will be pushing hard to get back into the side."

Key was encouraged by the fight shown by his side in going down to narrow defeat at Northampton last Saturday.

He said: "I thought some of our contact skills and defence was outstanding, and the way we played in the first half we should have come away with the win. We'll go down to Harlequins for our next game again being confident."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version