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WRU clear the way for Webb to fight for 2020 Six Nations selection
By Online Editors
Rhys Webb could soon win his first Wales cap since December 2017 after the Welsh Rugby Union declared him eligible for selection for the 2020 Six Nations.
The scrum-half has not been available for the international side since his club move to Toulon. However, Webb is set to join the Ospreys next summer after it was announced earlier this week that the French Top 14 outfit would be realising him from his contract a year earlier than planned for family reasons.
That has changed the WRU’s view on Webb’s ineligibility and the professional rugby board (PRB) have agreed to an application from the player and his representative to allow a six-month dispensation from the senior player selection policy during which new Wales head coach Wayne Pivac can consider the 31-year-old for selection.
The regulations of the policy meant that the 2017 Lions tourist would not be available for Test level duty until July 1 this year. However, that is now no longer the case and he has been cleared to compete for a place in Pivac’s squad for the February 1 Six Nations opener at home to Italy.
It is 25 months since Webb won the last of his 31 Wales caps, coming off the bench in a win over South Africa in Cardiff. “It’s just great to come back where rugby all started for me. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and fighting for the Ospreys jersey again.
(Continue reading below...)
RugbyPass travelled to Brecon to see how life after rugby is treating Andy Powell
“I have loved my time in Toulon but it’s a relief to come home to the Ospreys. It’s where my family are, where I was brought up, and where rugby all started for me. To return to play for my home region again is just really special for me and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to do that again.”
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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