Peel has spent the past twenty days training and playing alongside and with the likes of Matt Dawson, Chris Cusiter, Gareth Cooper, Jonny Wilkinson and Ronan O’Gara as the British & Irish Lions work their way across New Zealand. Although the Scarlets scrum-half ended the RBS Six Nations season as the number one No.9 in Europe, he admits that his daily diet of Lions training has already helped him to reach another level.
“You can’t help but learn from these boys,” said Peel, who will partner Wilkinson at half back in tomorrow’s game against Wellington at the Westpac Stadium. “Players like Matt Dawson are so experienced;Â it’s great just to be around them. There is no working against each other like some people would think, we all work together for the good of the Lions.
“As for Jonny, well, I am certainly looking forward to the experience. It has been really good in training this week. He’s a world class player with a great attitude and he really makes you feel confident on the field. He is always talking and prompting.”
Peel is still leading the race to land the scrum half jersey for the first Test in Christchurch although he refuses to confirm as much.
“I don’t think anyone has made up their mind yet,” he said. “All the boys have played really well, so it’s a case of matching them and doing even better if you can. The coaches have not given us an indication yet and I wouldn’t have thought we will know until Clive names the side on Sunday or Monday.”
