Peel "not playing well"

Wales coach Warren Gatland raised a few Welsh eyebrows with his selection at scrum-half for Saturday's clash against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium and raised a few more when he gave his reason for his choice.

Wales coach Warren Gatland raised a few Welsh eyebrows with his selection at scrum-half for Saturday's clash against South Africa at the Millennium Stadium and raised a few more when he gave his reason for his choice.

Gatland says he picked Gloucester scrum-half Gareth Cooper ahead of the more experienced Dwayne Peel for the simple reason that the Sale Sharks number nine he “isn't playing as well at the moment.”

Wales' scrum-half will have to do duty against arguably the world's best proponent of the position, Springbok stalwart Fourie du Preez and Gatland believes that Cooper, who started both Tests against South Africa in the Republic, is in better form than 61-cap Peel.

Many feel that Peel has been in top form in the Heineken Cup but Gatland is clearly of a different opinion and made no apologies for sticking with Cooper.

“Gareth is the incumbent at the moment. We worked hard on some areas of his game in South Africa and we are pleased with the progress he has made,” explained Gatland to the Western Mail.

“Dwayne isn't playing as well at the moment. By his own standards, he had a poor game against Munster in the Heineken Cup and was taken off.

“He has had a shoulder injury that hindered him. It does sometimes take players time to find form and confidence.”