Hibbard: I’m a far more effective player now

WALES hooker Richard Hibbard insists he will never lose hope of representing his country despite committing to a new contract at Gloucester.

Hibbard, who has failed to feature for the Red Dragons since sensationally being axed by boss Warren Gatland before last year’s World Cup, says he had no hesitation signing a new deal at Kingsholm in the face of interest back home.

The flaxen-haired No.2 has made Wales selection difficult for himself under ‘Gatland’s Law’, but told

The Rugby Paper: “You never retire internationally, I’m a patriotic player and you never give up on that phone call coming.

“You only need a few injuries – or in my case about 10 – but re-signing for Gloucester wasn’t a decision between club and country. If I’d chosen to go back to Wales, I wouldn’t be guaranteed anything.

“The fact is I moved over for a new challenge two years ago and Gloucester is a fantastic club – a traditional, old-school set-up where I can really enjoy my rugby in an exciting league where the opposition is fierce.

“I’ve had a new lease of life here. The game plan’s changed a bit this year and we’re ready to catch fire.”

Hibbard, 32, insists there is no lingering resentment towards Gatland, adding: “I’m not bitter about the way it ended with Wales. I’m not happy it happened, but I am grateful for the opportunities I got and the way I put myself about.

“I’m happy with what I did with Wales – and with the Lions in 2013 – but rugby is full of peaks and troughs and there’s never a plateau. You’ve got to handle what’s thrown at you and I’ve really pushed on with Gloucester now. “If anything, what happened pushed me harder. We’ve trimmed-up as a team and got a little bit leaner and faster, so that’s helped me a lot and I feel I’m playing some of the most effective rugby of my career right now.” Hibbard, left, admits he is sick of hearing how Gloucester are the sleeping giants of English rugby.

“We want to wake up and grow up,” he said. “We want to be out their wrecking people as a giant, not constantly talking about it.

“If you look at our season it’s been frustrating, but we’ve shown against Northampton, Wasps and Saracens that there’s a good side waiting to break out and we’ve been playing great rugby and putting teams under pressure.

“The boys are hungry and the potential here is massive. All it takes is a good four-game run and we’ll be right in the mix.”