Boost for Wales as Webb set to return

RHYS Webb is poised to give Wales coach Rob Howley a huge boost ahead of the Six Nations by declaring his fitness.

The scrum-half has been out of action since being stretchered off the Principality Stadium after suffering a serious ankle injury during Australia’s 32-8 Bonfire Night points bonanza over caretaker coach Howley’s men.

It was the latest in a long line of knee and ankle injuries for the luckless Webb and he underwent surgery to fix ligament damage.

The 28-year-old will step up his rehabilitation this week by increasing his role in training at the Ospreys’ Llandarcy centre.

His playing comeback has been pencilled in for the European Challenge Cup clash with Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on January 21.

That’s a fortnight before Wales begin their assault for glory on the Six Nations, against Italy in Rome on Sunday, February 5.

“He’s going to be doing a little bit of unit work this week,” said Ospreys coach Steve Tandy.

“It’s always great to see ‘Webby’ and I have got no doubt he will be asking for selection before he’s ready!

“But we have to make sure he’s physically right and the welfare of Rhys is at the forefront of the decisions we make.

“We are happy where he is at the moment and perhaps he will be ready for the second game in Europe this month.”

Webb is desperate to make the Wales cut for the Six Nations and knows his chances of making Warren Gatland’s Lions squad for the end of season tour of New Zealand could depend on playing and shining in the tournament.

He missed the 2015 World Cup after suffering a serious knee injury during the final warm-up match, against Italy, but returned to international action at the back end of last year’s Six Nations at the expense of Gareth Davies.

He started all three Tests against the All Blacks last June, scoring a try in the opening rubber and performing solidly.

Webb again faces competition from Scarlets ace Davies, who wore the No.9 jersey at the World Cup and against Argentina and South Africa during the autumn campaign.

Webb suffered his latest injury after jumping over team-mate Ross Moriarty and landing awkwardly on the Principality Stadium turf.