“The surgery and rehab have gone well and all I want now is an injury-free season for club and country,” he said.

“I still want to play for Wales and that doesn’t change by moving to Sale.It is just a case of playing club rugby in the Guinness Premiership.”

But the 27-year-old Peel will not only be facing stiff competition in national side, but also at club level too, where he will be competing for his place with Richard Wigglesworth, who has recently occupied the scrum half position for England.

The battle at Sale at half back is similar to the one which Philips was confronted with last year at the Ospreys with Former All Black Justin Marshall. The Ospreys had the luxury to adopt a rotation scheme between the two players which Lyn Jones believed brought the best out of them.

And Peel’s move to Sale can be seen as a gamble in terms of the depth that the club have at his position.  But his new club coach Philip Saint Andre realises that the modern game requires a very competitive 22 man team.

“Dwayne’s arrival is excellent news for the club and our supporters,” said the Frenchman.

“He is a world-class scrum-half and, together with Richard, it means we will have two young, international players covering the No 9 position.

“Dwayne will only help Richard improve. Competition for places is good, it keeps you on your toes and makes you a better player.”

Two years ago, Dwayne Peel was the first name to be put down on the Wales team sheet and was undoubtedly the best scrum-half in the world. He was the player that kept the high intensity that brought Wales their success in the 2005 Six Nations.

However, various injuries and the ascendance of Mike Philips have seen the player face tough competition to keep his place in the Welsh side.

The summer seemed like the perfect opportunity for Peel to stake a claim for the Autumn internationals after Philips was unable to tour due to injury. However, Peel too suffered an injury weeks later and therefore missed the trip to South Africa.

After recovering from injury, Peel is now as keen and as hungry for the game as ever. He will be aware of the absence of Philips for the first month of the season and therefore see this as a great opportunity to head the race for the scrum half berth.

Peel has the experience over his arch rival Philips, but now has to find that form that made him one of the most dangerous players on the international scene.