WALES

Gatland releases nine players

Wednesday 27th February 2008

Club Call: Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel wants more rugby

Wales coach Warren Gatland has released nine of his 29-man squad to play for their regions and clubs this weekend, including scrum-half Dwayne Peel at the player's own request.

Peel will undergo a final examination under consultant neurosurgeon John Martin at Morriston Hospital on Wednesday evening after leaving the field injured against Italy last week.

But, if he is cleared to play, he will turn out for the Scarlets in their Magners League clash with Ulster in Belfast on Friday night.

"Dwayne approached us and asked if he could play this weekend, he feels he needs more rugby and we will be more than happy to see him take the field at Ravenhill if the medical opinion approves," said Gatland.

"It's another chance for him to show the coaches what he is capable of while Alun-Wyn Jones will also feature for the Ospreys this weekend and is another player hoping to play himself into contention for the trip to Ireland.

"For Alix Popham [Scarlets], Deiniol Jones, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Jamie Roberts [all Blues] and Sonny Parker [Ospreys], it's a case of all those players needing game time as we progress though our campaign.

"Gareth Delve and Gareth Cooper have to be released to Gloucester and Tom James [Blues] is unavailable due to illness."

The rest of the squad will continue in full training over the weekend.