Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell upbeat after ‘challenging year’

Rhys Patchell admits he has endured »a challenging year » before his return to the Wales Test team against Ireland on Saturday.
Scarlets fly-half Patchell last started for his country on the 2018 summer trip to Argentina, when he kicked 20 points as Wales beat the Pumas 30-12 at Santa Fe.
Concussion issues along with a torn hamstring united to interrupt the international career of the 26-year-old, and put his location at Wales’ World Cup team in query.
But an impressive show off the seat through a 22-17 loss to Ireland last weekend functioned as a reminder of his quality.
« It has been a hard year, that is for sure, » Patchell stated. « I won’t be looking back on it (last season) too many times.
« It was not the disaster many sockets made it sound like, however it wasn’t the year you would like moving to a World Cup.
« A few concussions were hard to deal with, and tearing a hamstring wasn’t perfect. It stuttered any momentum that I tried to pick up throughout the season.
« Game one I had been concussed, came back, began finding a little rhythm and obtained concussed back again.
« I came back, ripped my hamstring and you’re forever chasing your own tail. It is what it is and we’re where we arenow. Thankfully, it’s all worked out for the very best. »
Patchell was competing with Jarrod Evans to its right to back up Dan Biggar in Japan Together with Gareth Anscombe ruled with a knee injury, six days and they all had a final marvel in the Principality Stadium.
It had been Patchell who won the coaches’ vote as he’d done for the 2015 World Cup when he was among an initial recognized cut against Wales’ tournament training squad that is expanded.
« He (Evans) dropped me a text following the statement, and I answered, » Patchell added. « That was really good of him.
« Obviously I felt . I could completely empathise with him, having been there myself.
« It isn’t an easy place to maintain. That’s game, somebody has to overlook. I sensed for all the boys who got a telephone call or text.
« Jarrod and I were clearly aware that since a 10 you must do what’s best for your team. You can only deal with what’s in front of you.
« I had been speaking to friends and family on the Friday night saying’this is it, we’ll see how it goes’.
« It is difficult, trying to be as fantastic as possible daily. When the cards fall your way, good. That’s the way it goes, if they don’t.
« The focus was as great as I might be for the group, attempting to push the team around the park and get us into great rankings and receive our silhouette going. Thankfully, the coaches liked what they found, I suppose. »