Dwayne Peel has set his sights on helping Sale Sharks recapture their former glories having committed his future to the club for the next two seasons.

The Wales and British Lions scrum-half provided a massive shot in the arm for everyone at Edgeley Park last weekend by putting pen to paper on a new contract.

On his day, one of world rugby's great number nines, Peel had been a target for a number of clubs both in his native Wales and abroad. But the 28-year-old demonstrated his commitment to Sharks director of rugby Kingsley Jones and the Sale squad by spurning those offers.

And the Wales star revealed how, since moving to Manchester from Llanelli back in 2008, he and partner Jessica have grown to relish life in the North West.

"Obviously, it's a massive relief to have my future settled," Peel revealed. "It's never an easy time when you have to make decisions like this and I think it's important to look at every factor.

"It's no good if you are enjoying your rugby but not everything else. I think it took time for myself and my partner to settle in. But now we are both very settled and very happy here.

"It has got a bit repetitive over the past month as it seemed people were asking me what I was going to do on almost a daily basis.

"But I'm confident that I've made the right decision both in terms of myself and also my girlfriend too.

"She also enjoys it up here so its been good to get everything done and dusted.

Peel decisions

"To be happy in your home-life is equally as important when you make decisions like this. It's a case of trying to get the balance in everything right.

"The rugby side of things is good and the guys in the squad are brilliant. They are all really good people here at Sale and have helped me really enjoy my time since moving here.

"So now that I've signed, I'm really looking forward to having another two years here, to carrying on helping the club try to progress and hopefully really enjoy the experience."

Having commited to the cause, Peel insists, despite a mixed season to date, there is cause for long-term optimism at Edgeley Park, especially given the emergence of a number of talented youngsters at the club.

And he admitted the chance to carry on working with Jones and his coaching staff, had been another factor in his thinking.

"We are definitely going in the right direction," he said. "When we're at full strength I think the side that we can put out is as good as anything in the Guinness Premiership.

"I do think we've been a bit unlucky with injuries this season, but that's meant young guys like James Gaskell have come to the fore and he's been terrific, as have the likes of Carl Fearns and Jack Forster who have also done really well.

"So overall, the squad is looking good, I think. There's already a lot of talent there and, hopefully, if Kingsley brings in a few new faces I'm sure we'll have a strong squad next year.

"Obviously, I get on well with Kingsley. I think he's been doing a really good job this year and I enjoy working with him along with Jason, Byron and Finchy.

"They make up a great bunch of guys and it's a pleasure to come into work each day with such calibre of people."

Though his long-term focus is on helping Sale climb back up the Guinness Premiership table, more immediately Peel is closing in on a return to action after picking up a groin strain last month.

That led to him being omitted from Wales' initial Six Nations squad, though the Welsh selectors have insisted the player will be drafted in once he proves his fitness.

"I'm hoping to be back soon - maybe even by this weekend for our LV= Cup game at Bath," said Peel. "I did a bit of training towards the end of last week - though it was still a little bit tight - so I just need to make sure that I'm right.

"Hopefully, I might be able to feature in part of the Six Nations. The key thing is I just need to get myself back fit now and get some form under my belt."

Do Sale have the right no. 9 in Dwayne Peel? Have your say.