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Report: Priestland in 'talks' over Welsh return
By Online Editors
Rhys Priestland's return to Wales looks increasingly like a done deal, with the BBC reporting that the flyhalf is in 'talks' with the Cardiff Blues.
Priestland had been set to leave the then Todd Blackadder coached Bath in 2019, but both Priestland and the club did a u-turn, with the playmaker signing a new two-year contract until 2021.
However, in November of 2020 reports from South Africa claimed that Cheetahs flyhalf Tian Schoeman was set to leave the side to pursue a career with Bath, seemingly bringing Preistland's stint with the Premiership side to a close. The club have been linked with numerous options at flyhalf over the last two years, but Schoeman is now the hot favourite to replace Priestland.
Priestland joined the West Country side in 2015 and has made over 80 appearances for the Blue, Black and White since his arrival from Welsh side Scarlets.
With just Welsh 50 caps, he was unable to represent Wales under the terms of the SPSP. A return to Cardiff would open up the possibility, in theory at least, of the 33-year-old representing Wales once again.
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Latest Comments
My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
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