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Rugby Union

Peel joins Sale Sharks

15/01/2008

Welsh scrum-half Dwayne Peel is to bring to an end a decade at Llanelli Scarlets to join Sale.

The 26-year-old will link up with the Guinness Premiership side at the end of the season and has been wished well by his current club.

Peel has been at Llanelli for ten years and earned Welsh schools and youth honours while at the club before graduating to the senior national side.

And despite the inevitable financial advantages of swapping the Scarlets for the Sharks, Peel insists that the move is not just about boosting his earning power.

"My move's not about money as the deal to stay at Llanelli was similar to that offered by Sale," he said.

"It's about the fact that, not having lived outside Wales, I'd like to experience life in another country for a short period."

For their part, Llanelli have said Peel would be welcomed back to Stradey Park in the future after serving the Magners League club "admirably through one of the club’s most thrilling decades".

"He has been a cornerstone in helping us to develop a formidable European record in that time and in keeping us highly competitive in domestic tournaments," Llanelli Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher said.

"We're always pleased to see home-grown talent become international stars – and Dwayne has served Wales and the Lions with great skill and dedication."

Gallacher admitted that Peel's departure will leave a "void" at the club but insisted that the "tremendous emerging talent" would now have a chance to shine.

Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies added his good wishes to Peel, emphasising how popular the players both with fans and team-mates.

"He has been outstanding for us in the Magners League and Heineken Cup and will be a credit to his new club," he said.

"Having never been based outside Wales, this will be an exciting adventure for him. I believe he would like to return to Wales and we'd be delighted to talk to him in the future about him coming home to the Llanelli Scarlets."

Peel became the youngest Wales player to earn 50 caps during last year's Six Nations championships.