Battle at Bath is priority for Rhys
RHYS PRIESTLAND says he hasn’t given up on his international ambitions, but insists the battle for the Bath No.10 shirt is his sole focus ahead of the new season.
The former Scarlets favourite won the last of his 48 caps on the summer tour of New Zealand in 2016, but has been cast into the Test wilderness ever since.
Last season he became the victim of the Welsh Rugby Union’s senior player selection policy, otherwise known as Gatland’s Law, with other English-based players preferred for the three available “wildcard” picks.
Injury also hampered his bid for regular rugby at The Rec and with Freddie Burns having arrived as a replacement for fellow England international George Ford, Priestland faces a stern challenge just to make his club’s starting lineup. He delivered an impressive 40 minutes at the helm of a dominant Bath side yesterday, with Todd Blackadder’s men beating a youthful Ospreys 28-14 at the Liberty Stadium.
And afterwards, he insisted his priority is what lies ahead on the other side of the Severn.
“If I can play well for Bath, who knows? But my only goal is to play well for Bath,” he said.
“Touch wood I can stay fit, it is the first time I have had a pre-season in a long time and I feel good for it. Don’t get me wrong, I would really love to play for Wales again.
“Whether that happens, I don’t know.
“For me, my biggest challenge is to play well for Bath and get them into the top four and go from there.”
The issue for Priestland at international level is that Warren Gatland isn’t short of options in the pivot position.
Dan Biggar enjoyed a fine tour with the British and Irish Lions; Ospreys team-mate Sam Davies has already shown huge promise in the cauldron of the Test arena, while Gareth Anscombe, Rhys Patchell and Owen Williams, now at Gloucester, are also vying for places.