Gatland in dig at tangled web
WARREN GATLAND has pointed the finger at Wales’ regional bosses as the row over Rhys Webb’s Test future rumbles on.
Scrum-half Webb will see his Wales career finish at the end of this season when he joins French side Toulon.
Wales’ new selection policy means they can only pick players based in England or France if they have 60 or more caps. Webb has just 28 so, from September, cannot be picked.
He was still named in Wales’ squad yesterday for the autumn Tests against Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa but Gatland axed Jamie Roberts when he announced his 36-man party.
Head coach Gatland said: “I was consulted on the new policy but I wasn’t involved. I got pushed out there from a media perspective and it was almost like it was my idea. We haven’t heard one word from the regions about their involvement and I’d like to hear from them. This policy has been agreed by the WRU and the regions.”
Webb insists he signed for Toulon unaware that it would end his Wales career.
Gatland added: “You need to talk to the powerbrokers involved and (chief executive) Mark Davies at Pro Rugby Wales. The regions pushed hard for a 70-cap limit and I felt that too high. There was a lot of criticism of myself over this and I felt that was unfair.
“The policy’s better than the one we had but I feel for Rhys in that he’s not going to be available for the World Cup.”
Gatland left out Scott Williams and Luke Charteris in his squad and named five new players, including New Zealand-born centre Hadleigh Parkes – who will only qualify in time for the South Africa Test on December 2. Sam Cross, Leon Brown, Elliot Dee and Owen Watkin are also in.