‘RHYS CAN STILL PLAY PART FOR WALES’
SHANE Williams has raised the possibility of Rhys Priestland rolling back the years and once again playing for Wales.
The legendary wing has also warned about the dangers of rushing Gareth Anscombe back into action too quickly after his long lay-off from rugby. According to Williams, doing so “would be criminal”.
Dan Biggar started all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions this summer and will be favourite to wear the Wales No. 10 jersey for the autumn, but Williams will be watching what happens with interest.
Available to the national selectors once again is Priestland after his return to Welsh rugby from Bath, while Anscombe is on course to resume at regional level after the knee injury he suffered playing for Wales against England at Twickenham in August 2019.
Priestland is 34 now and hasn’t played Test rugby since 2017.
But the Carmarthen man was an unqualified success at Bath and Williams
reckons it isn’t out of the question that Cardiff Rugby’s new acquisition will add to the 50 caps he already has under his belt.
“Dan Biggar has been the No. 1 fly-half for a while now, but I think there could be an interesting dynamic at No. 10 this autumn,” Williams wrote in his column in The Rugby Paper.
“I’m fascinated by Rhys Priestland’s move back to Welsh rugby.
“I wouldn’t rule him out of an international return, even though he is at the end of his career and hasn’t played Test rugby since 2017.
“It will be interesting to see how both he and Jarrod Evans go at Cardiff.
“Rhys Patchell should also be back in action this season, and then there is Callum Sheedy who is a coming force.
“Wayne Pivac really is spoilt for choice in that area when everyone is fit.”