The 24-year-old back-row has been out of action since November having had surgery on a shoulder problem. Having played in just three URC matches, the former Auckland Blues player will be a huge boost to the forward line of Peel’s struggling side.
Ill-discipline would cost the Scarlets dear in their heavy 45-3 defeat last time out against Glasgow in Llanelli. A result that would undo much of the hard work gained from a moral-boosting victory over Benetton in the previous round of fixtures.
Now a tricky trip to play-off chasing Edinburgh awaits the men in red and Peel is looking for improvements to finish the season on a high.
“We’re pretty disappointed with the performance in the last game,” said Peel.
“We came into the Glasgow game off the back of a tough well-fought win against Benetton.
“We felt in the second-half we dropped off the pace a bit. We’ve had a bit of a break and a reflection on the last game. For us now, it is a chance to go to Scotland and put that right.
“There are five games to go it’s an opportunity for some of these young guys to put their hands up and for us to show some fight and build momentum.
“This week we want to go to Edinburgh and be competitive. We know they are a good side but feel if we get our form right and hit the ground running, we can compete.”
The Scarlets will welcome Plumtree and fly-half Sam Costelow back into the fold for the trip to the Hive but will be without flanker Jarrod Taylor. Peel, however, is confident the South African will be back in action in the next few weeks, but captain Josh Macleod will not feature before pre-season.
“He [Taine Plumtree] is available this week and Jarrod [Taylor] is nearing a return,” explained Peel.
“I’m delighted he is back; he was a big signing in the summer for us and we saw glimpses of what he is capable of.
“He was carrying an injury, and we probably didn’t see the best of him. To be back in the fold is for us is big, he is an example of a positive angle of what we have to look forward to in the next couple of seasons.
“He is an exciting talent who is a real athlete and will bring real athleticism. He is a skillful player who is dynamic. He is tall, so from a set-piece perspective he gives you options.
“He is one player we haven’t seen much of. He is a very exciting player to have back in the fold. We also have Sam Costello back as well, who hasn’t played much rugby for us.
“I think those two guys will give us a boost in the next couple of games.”
Peel also would be delighted with the news that lock Sam Lousi has committed his future to the Welsh region. The 32-year-old Tongan turning down several options elsewhere to stay at Parc y Scarlets.
“I’m delighted Sam [Lousi] is staying. He is one player for us who is a bit of a talisman when he is on the field,” continued Peel.
“To get him to stay is great for us as a club because there would have been interest elsewhere.
“He is quietly spoken off it but when he needs to communicate on the pitch, he is very good, and everyone respects him for what he does.
“He is excellent, a different type of lock in many ways. Being from a Rugby League background you can see that in his offloading game.
“He is an athlete and when he is in the side, he creates and works really hard. The bottom line is he enjoys it here and is happy at the club.”
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
Peel could not run a restaurant. He is no better running the scarlets