Peel makes his first start in over a month for Sale after a groin injury while Phillips takes his long-awaited bow for the Ospreys against Connacht on Sunday.

And with stand-in scrum-half Gareth Cooper pilloried for his performances in Wales’ two opening RBS 6 Nations performances Howley is delighted to see the duo returning.

“It’s good news to see two senior players become available again,” said Howley.

“We have been monitoring the situation with both of them over the last three or four weeks.

“Dwayne came on against Wasps last Sunday and played an active part for about 10 to 15 minutes and he’s going to start against Leeds. Mike will be on the bench against Connacht.

“We will look closely how both players come through over the next three or four days.

“I think it’s important they have an input into both games and we will see where we stand from there.”