Dwayne Peel has struggled for game-time since his move to Sale © Getty Images

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Sale Head Coach Kingsely Jones has hit back at the perception that Dwayne Peel's lack of game-time for Sale is the main reason for his omission from the Wales squad for the Six Nations.

Peel, the British and Irish Lions Test scrum-half in 2005, moved to Sale from the Scarlets at the start of the season but has been used in rotation with England No.9 Richard Wigglesworth since then, starting only nine games.

Wales boss Warren Gatland released his squad for the tournament on Monday with Mike Phillips and Gareth Cooper getting the nod ahead of 64 times-capped Peel, who won Grand Slams with Wales in 2005 and 2008.

"The last thing I want to do is burn any bridges with Wales but I was disappointed with the perception at a press conference this week that seemed to blame Dwayne's time at Sale for his non-selection," Jones told the Manchester Evening News.

"As long as the WRU are giving a clear message to the players about why they are not being picked, then that's all fair and well. If it is the fact that is because they are playing in England, then let's come out and say that. But I don't think that is the case. I think they simply believe Cooper and Phillips are better options right now. That's their choice."

Phillips has recently returned from a serious knee injury but Gatland has selected him on the basis that he has had more game-time than Peel since the autumn internationals, a point that has not sat well with former Wales skipper Jones.

"If Dwayne, or for that matter our prop Eifion Roberts who has also missed out, need to do something different in the way they play, then let's tell them that so we can work on it.

"But I obviously don't like the fact they've said it's because Dwayne hasn't played enough. I simply don't buy into that. "We've got two very good half-backs that we have to manage and keep happy. Dwayne has played better every time he has appeared for us and every time Wiggy has been given the nod, it has spurred Dwayne on to make him play better.

"If we are going to achieve something as a club, then one thing we need is two quality half-backs and whatever else happens is our call. The irony is that Wales will do the same. I'm sure Phillips and Cooper won't start every game in the Six Nations. Mike has only just returned from a serious knee injury."