Gatland risks clash with WRU after calls for 'common sense' over Rhys Webb availability
Wales head coach Warren Gatland still hopes he may have Rhys Webb available for next year's Rugby World Cup.
Webb, 29, is ineligible to play for his nation after a Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) selection policy change last year.
Any player contracted outside Wales must have at least 60 caps to feature for the national team, and the Toulon scrum-half falls short of that marker with 31.
However, Gatland is maintaining hope he could use Webb at the showpiece tournament in Japan next year.
"I feel very sorry for Rhys," he told UK media.
"I would love the opportunity to be able to pick him but the rules say I can't. I would like to think that, if we have injuries at scrum-half, common sense will prevail."
Gatland said Wales were being heavily impacted by the absence of Webb.
"The pleasing thing is that we meet once a month, the Rugby Management Board, which is the four head coaches [of the regions]," he said.
"I think they understand; if you talk to them they know what the situation is.
"I don't think that anyone wants to see a team hampered by not being able to pick the best player."
Wales have been drawn with Australia, Georgia, Fiji and Uruguay in Pool D at the Rugby World Cup.
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wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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