Priestland makes the top 10
WELSH fly-half Rhys Priestland has been named in Ugo Monye’s top 10 fly-halves the English Premiership has ever seen.
The 34-year-old Bath playmaker, who is joining Cardiff Blues next season, boasts vast experience, a level head and kicking of the highest levels of precision.
Naming his top 10 for BT Sport’s Rugby Tonight, ex-England, Lions and Harlequins man Monye opted for Priestland in eighth place behind the likes of Charlie Hodgson, Owen Farrell, Alex King, Nick Evans, and Danny Cipriani.
“Rhys Priestland, the legacy he’s going to leave in the Premiership – there’s not been a more consistent, and better accurate kicker in the Premiership than him,” Monye explained.
“I know people are going to debate that.”
Carmarthen product Priestland made his debut for the Scarlets in the 2006-07 campaign and scored more than 1,000 points for the region before heading to the West
Country.
The 50-cap No. 10, who last played for Wales in 2017 against the All Blacks, has spent the last six seasons with Bath and is a key figure in their ranks, amassing more than 100 appearances for the club and claiming the top points scorer gong in the Gallagher Premiership last season.
He had been on a run of 36 consecutive successful kicks this term, but this record came to an end in March in the 47-22 defeat over Worcester when Priestland missed a touchline conversion.
Monye added: “I know people will look at me and say ‘Rhys Priestland, he’s not won a thing’ but there’s not been a better, more consistent kicker in the league ever.”
Ugo Monye’s top 10: 1. Charlie Hodgson, 2. Owen Farrell, 3. Alex King, 4. Nick Evans, 5. Danny Cipriani, 6. Gareth Steenson, 7. Andy Goode, 8. Rhys Priestland, 9. Stephen Myler, 10. Jonny Wilkinson.