Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Wales call for Rhys Priestland unlikely with Dan Biggar set to face France

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Monday, 17 February 2020 09:53

Wales are unlikely to call up fly-half cover as they are increasingly confident Dan Biggar will be fit to face France in the Six Nations.

Biggar failed a head injury assessment during the loss in Ireland earlier this month, while Owen Williams is out for the campaign with a hamstring injury.

Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Patchell are existing long-term absentees at 10.

All that has prompted talk of a return for Rhys Priestland, ineligible because he plays outside Wales with Bath.

But Wales have not yet approached the 33-year-old, whose most recent appearance for his country was in 2017.

With 50 appearances to his name, Priestland falls below the current 60-cap rule which stops people playing club rugby outside of Wales being selected for Test rugby.

Under previous rules, there was a loophole which meant players with fewer than 60 caps were still eligible if they were not offered a contract by a Welsh region when signing for a club outside Wales.

That caveat would have applied to Priestland, who attracted interest from his homeland but did not receive a formal offer from any of the four Welsh regions when he signed a new contract with Bath last year.

But the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has since removed that condition, meaning Wales head coach Wayne Pivac would have to ask the Professional Rugby Board (PRB), made up of regional and WRU representatives, to give him permission to select Priestland.

Pivac has not sought that permission yet because he and his medical staff are so confident that Biggar will be fit for Saturday's match against France in Cardiff.

Biggar was forced off the field early in the second half of the loss to Ireland on 8 February but he is back in training by now.

Wales are eager not to rush the 30-year-old back, mindful that his knock in Dublin was a third head injury in five months.

Assistant coach Neil Jenkins last week said Wales were hopeful Biggar would be fit to face France but the squad still lacks cover.

Cardiff Blues' Jarrod Evans is the only other specialist 10 in the squad.

Williams was primarily in the squad because of his versatility - able to cover centre as well as fly-half - and it was telling that Wales did not call up a replacement when he withdrew last week.

They are likelier to add back three cover in the build-up to the France fixture, particularly as wing Owen Lane will also miss the entire Six Nations because of a hamstring injury.

Read 308 times

Soccer

Kylian Mbappé's poor form will end - Ancelotti

Kylian Mbappé's poor form will end - Ancelotti

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti has backed Kylian Mbappé to end his poor run of for...

Leverkusen's Schick nets hat-trick in comeback win

Leverkusen's Schick nets hat-trick in comeback win

Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick bagged a hat-trick on Saturday to help the German champions b...

Ronaldo's Saudi title hopes hurt by Aubameyang

Ronaldo's Saudi title hopes hurt by Aubameyang

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCristiano Ronaldo's hopes of lifting his first silverware since mov...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

EmailPrintThe NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes followi...

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

EmailPrintNew Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left ha...

Baseball

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

Rockies agree to one-year deal with IF Farmer

Rockies agree to one-year deal with IF Farmer

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDENVER -- The Colorado Rockies agreed to a one-year deal Saturday w...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated