Priestland admits omission is justified

Editor

Rhys Priestland says Wales caretaker coach Rob Howley made the right call in not picking him for the November Tests.

The outside-half missed out on being one of the caretaker coach’s three permitted ‘wild-card’ picks despite Taulupe Faletau expected to miss the November 5 opener with Australia and the clash with Japan because of a knee injury which has restricted him to just 12 minutes of competitive rugby this season.

Howley named Dan Biggar, Gareth Anscombe and the uncapped Sam Davies as his three fly-halves.

In a surprising step for a player, Priestland admitted his omission was justified since he has hardly featured for his club Bath this season.

“It’s no real surprise. It hasn’t helped that I haven’t played, so If I was picking the squad I wouldn’t have picked me – I would have picked the other three as well,” Priestland told the BBC.

He should, however, get an opportunity to play regularly for Bath next month while George Ford is away on international duty with England.

“It will be nice for me to get some game time at Bath and hopefully hit a bit of form.”