The scrum-half has fallen behind Gareth Cooper in the pecking order and with the RBS 6 Nations fast approaching, the 27 year old is desperate to reclaim his place in Warren Gatland’s side.
 
The Lions star is in a three-way battle with fit-again Mike Phillips and Cooper to play at scrum-half as Wales plot their Grand Slam defence.

"It is an exciting time as the Six Nations is around the corner and it is a Lions year as well," said Peel.

"The European games are very important for players wanting to put their hand up and get themselves in their country's Six Nations squad."

Mike Phillips has been Wales coach Warren Gatland's first choice scrum-half and the 26-year-old helped inspire Wales to their second Grand Slam in four seasons. But a cruciate knee ligament injury sidelined the Ospreys player for nine months.

Peel was Phillips's scrum-half deputy during last season's Six Nations.

However, when Phillips was injured Gatland overlooked Peel and started with Cooper as his first-choice scrum-half during the autumn internationals against South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Peel's last Wales start was against Italy in last season's Six Nations win in Cardiff but the Sharks man wants to add to his 64 Wales caps.

Now former Scarlets man Peel realises he must perform well in Sale's final two Heineken Cup pool games against European champions Munster and Clermont Auvergne to catch the eye of coach Gatland.