Dwayne Peel 'unfairly treated' by Wales says Dafydd Jones

Peel signed a new two-year contract with Sale in January

Former Wales flanker Dafydd Jones believes Dwayne Peel has been treated unfairly by the national team's management.

Peel has said he is fully fit, contradicting claims by Wales that injury has forced the Sale player out of their World Cup plans.

And Jones believes the scrum-half has not been given a fair chance by Wales.

"I think it's unfair on Dwayne that he's not being considered," said Jones, a former Wales and Scarlets team-mate.

"Obviously Dwayne Peel is a quality player. He always has been and always will be.

"He has so much to offer Wales and for some reason or another he's not being considered at all.

"I think that's not fair on him, but most importantly on Wales."

Peel won the last of his 76 Wales caps as a replacement during the Six Nations defeat against France in March, having been omitted from the original squad.

His international appearances have been limited since he joined Aviva Premiership side Sale from the Scarlets in 2008.

The 29-year-old did not attend two training camps in Poland in July because his contract with Sale meant he was unavailable for Wales' build-up until 4 August.

But Jones, who retired from rugby in January, believes there is more to Peel's current situation with Wales than has been revealed.

"Dwayne hasn't had the opportunities under the current management for some reason or another," Jones told BBC Sport Wales.

"I think there's more to it than the Welsh public actually know. I don't know any more than anyone else.

"I don't think he's played any less rugby than anyone else in the Welsh set-up. But he hasn't been involved.

"He could have been involved if they wanted him to be involved. I think he has been unfairly treated.

"Being a Welsh player in a World Cup year and you're not being considered, I think that's a tough place to be."

Bayonne-bound Mike Phillips has started at scrum-half in Wales' two warm-up matches against England.

Scarlets' Tavis Knoyle will face Argentina at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday with Cardiff Blues youngster Lloyd Williams on the bench.

But Dafydd Jones believes including Peel in the squad would create competition at the World Cup in New Zealand.

"Mike Phillips is world class," added Jones. "He's got so much to offer.

"Mike's coming back to what we consider Mike's best and that's obviously a world-class player.

"But obviously we're talking about Dwayne and he's got so much to offer himself, even within the squad."

Sale are expected to use Peel in Friday's friendly against Edinburgh at Edgeley Park.

Wales coach Warren Gatland will announce his 30-man World Cup squad on Monday, two days after the Argentina game.

But Jones does not expect to see Peel's name among the players who will be travelling to the World Cup.

"I don't really know if Dwayne can do anymore really," added Jones.

"Everyone knows what he's capable of but I think he's up against it personally."