Webb’s place in danger as Wales change selection policy
LONDON: Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb is in danger of becoming the first high-profile casualty of his country’s new selection policy.
British and Irish Lions star Webb has agreed to leave Pro14 outfit Ospreys to join French club Toulon next season.
But the 28-year- old learned on Monday that he could be ineligible for national duty in the future after Welsh rugby chiefs announced changes to their international selection policy in an attempt to stem the exodus of talent from the country.
Under the new rules, which take effect immediately, players based abroad with 60 caps or more will be eligible to represent Wales.
Unt i l now, players based outside Wales required one of four wildcard picks to represent their country under the so- called “Gatland’s Law”.
That system was designed to keep players in Wales but it did not work, with a clutch of star names currently in the English Premiership including George North, Liam Williams, Jamie Roberts and Taulupe Faletau.
Dan Biggar, who wi l l join Nor thampton next season, currently has 56 caps, but he is likely to hit the 60- mark this season with Wales having four autumn Tests and then a Six Nations campaign. If Webb’s Toulon move goes ahead, the 28 times- capped star would be caught by the new policy and ruled ineligible.
“I am very disappointed at the news because I love playing for Wales. It means a huge amount to me,” Webb was quoted as saying by WalesOnline.
“It’s a real blow that I won’t be able to play international rugby from next season.
“I d idn’ t k now t he ful l implications when I agreed to join Toulon because the change in the selection policy came out after I signed.
“I have given 10 years service to the Ospreys and Welsh rugby and have picked up injuries along the way. I would have hoped that would have been taken into consideration.
An exception to the rule is call- ups for uncapped players currently contracted outside of Wales -- to keep their eligibility a newly capped player will be required to return to Wales at the expiration of their deal.