Peel backs Woodward for England
Peel said Woodward has shown the ability to challenge England fullback incumbent Mike Brown for his position. Woodward didn't play in Bristol's 22-57 loss to Bath in their European Challenge Cup game at the weekend.
Whether coach Eddie Jones would consider the England-qualified Woodward as early as the Six Nations campaign is doubtful, but Peel believes a chance to tour Argentina in the June window shapes as a real chance for the former Hurricanes utility who shared in the Super Rugby-winning triumph last year. Brown is likely to be in New Zealand with the Lions at that time.
"There's no doubt Jason has the quality to play international rugby, the only question mark for me is when?
"Jason's got genuine X-factor and he's a real good communicator who wants to play every time he's got the ball. People like that are priceless and what he's done at Bristol has given the guys a real boost at a crucial time for us," Peel told The Rugby Paper.
"We're a side that really wants to have a go now and play from all areas of the park and Jason's brought our wingers into the game.
"Tom Varndell's been scoring tries and the more you get people like him, Jack Wallace and Thretton Palamo with the ball in hand, the bigger threat they'll be. Jason's been brilliant at that and he's a good guy who all the boys get on well with," he said.
With Bristol looking forward to former Blues coach, and Connaught coach Pat Lam joining the side next season, Peel is hopeful of retaining a role with the side which is attempting to stave off relegation from the Premiership.
Joining the side to try and achieve that goal is another former Hurricane Alby Mathewson.
Peel was looking forward to the All Black who also played Super Rugby for the Blues and the Force, making a contribution to the side.
"Alby's got experience and is a competitor. Being an All Blacks he'll bring some additional leadership to the squad and although there's lots of work to do, we're competitive every week now.
"February's a huge month with home games against Harlequins and Bath and visits to Leicester and Worcester, so there's no hiding place," he said.
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