Peel looks destined for the very top like Stephen
WHEN we used to have backs’ meetings with Wales during my career there were always two men who were very vocal and dominated the conversation: Dwayne Peel and Stephen Jones.
As scrum-half and fly-half respectively, it was no surprise they knew their roles and the team’s game plan inside out, but it was always more than that.
Dwayne and Stephen would talk not only about what they had to do, but what every player on the field was responsible for. They used to boss me about, that’s for sure!
It was obvious to all of us in the Wales set-up they would both become coaches. Of course, Stephen is already working at Test level with Wales and it was confirmed last week Dwayne is also returning home.
I’ve got no doubt he is the right man for the Scarlets job. When I first heard news Dwayne might not sign for Cardiff Blues and was interesting the Scarlets, I thought only one thing would happen.
Cardiff fans won’t like me saying this, but the Scarlets is a much better natural fit for Dwayne in my opinion. He is a hero in Llanelli and massively respected there for his achievements as a player.
I certainly learned a lot from Dwayne when I played alongside him because he was just so intelligent on the field. He was a joy to play withso it’s been no surprise to me where he’s ended up.
Dwayne is 39 and I know some people are wondering if he’s too young to take the main job at the Scarlets, but I don’t subscribe to that view.
I wrote last week on Steve Tandy and how his rugby experiences in Australia have helped develop him as a coach and got him a job with the Lions. Dwayne has also challenged himself in different countries by working with Bristol and Ulster. I’ve no doubt that will have benefited him hugely.
Time will tell, but I think Dwayne will be a success at the Scarlets and he needs to be because the team have underperformed this season under Glenn Delaney’s guidance.
Delaney is moving to director of rugby for next season, but I’ve no doubt it will be Dwayne with whom
“Scarlets is a much better natural fit for Dwayne... he is a hero in Llanelli”
the buck stops. He will be comfortable with that. Having played for Wales for such a long time, he knows the passion for rugby in the country and is used to having his fair share of criticism.
Knowing Dwayne as I do, I think the style of rugby he likes to play is well suited to the Scarlets. I have been a bit disappointed with the Scarlets this season. Their defeat by Sale Sharks in Europe was embarrassing and they haven’t been consistent enough in the PRO14.
The fact Dwayne knows a lot of the players already will help him settle in quickly. He will be very familiar to the likes of Ken Owens and Jonathan Davies and his playing career means he will instantly have the respect of the squad. He’s also a Llanelli boy through and through and is a lot of fun to be around!
Dwayne did sign a contract with Cardiff Blues before joining the Scarlets, but I think all three parties will want to put that behind them now. Dwayne will certainly brush it off quite quickly.
From Cardiff ’s perspective it was not an ideal situation, but the way it’s ended up with Matt Sherratt coming back to the capital from Worcester is a situation which I think works for everyone.
I’ve full confidence Dwayne will be a big success in Llanelli and who is to say he won’t join his old mate Stephen back in the Wales set-up one day? Things really would have come full circle then.