‘IT’S A HUGE BLOW – I DIDN’T KNOW TOULON MOVE WOULD COST ME WALES PLACE’
RHYS WEBB EXCLUSIVE
“I didn’t know the full implications when I agreed to join Toulon because the change in the selection policy came out after I signed.”
“I have given ten years service to Ospreys and Welsh rugby – I would have hoped that would be taken into consideration.”
RHYS Webb says he is “very disappointed” he won’t be able to play for Wales from next season and insists he didn’t know that joining Toulon would rule him out.
The Ospreys scrum-half will be ineligible under the new selection policy which is being brought in to replace ‘Gatland’s Law’.
From next season, exiled players will only be able to represent Wales if they have won 60 or more caps.
It’s impossible for Webb to reach that threshold in time as he only has 28 Welsh caps to date.
So, when he links up with Toulon on a three-year deal next season, that will mean a halt to his international career.
Only players already based outside of Wales – such as Saracens wing Liam Williams – will be exempt from the policy, for the length of their current deal.
Reacting to the bombshell announcement, Webb said: “I am very disappointed at the news because I love playing for Wales. It means a huge amount to me.
“It’s a real blow that I won’t be able to play international rugby from next season.
“I didn’t know the full implications when I agreed to join Toulon because the change in the selection policy came out after I signed.
“I have given ten 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.
“I still very much want to play for Wales this season and hope I can gain selection for the autumn international squad.”
Wales coach Warren Gatland spoke about Webb at yesterday’s press conference where the new policy as unveiled.
He suggested it was still possible for the 28-year-old to extract himself from his Toulon deal.
“Rhys can still get out of the contract. He’s only signed a letter of agreement,” he said.
“I had a good conversation with him. He’s 28, he’s had a lot of injuries. He may have made that decision whether he was captured or not.
“He’s got to make his own decision. I don’t know whether you should talk to his agent.
“We spoke to Derwyn (Jones) to say this policy was potentially coming. I’ve spoken to Rhys and he spoke to Rhys.
“It was a decision about his future. For him to get to 60 caps might take three years and he may not get that opportunity again.
“We’ve got to respect and understand that.”
Responding to Gatland’s comments, Webb’s agent Jones claimed he and his client were only informed that a new selection policy might be coming in after the scrum-half had already agreed terms to join Toulon.