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Football greats Ronaldo and Messi provide inspiration for Rhys Webb

By PA
(Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)

Rhys Webb has taken inspiration from football greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo after ending more than two years in the international rugby wilderness.

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Ospreys scrum-half Webb is on course to make his first Wales appearance since November 2020 in next Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against Ireland.

Webb, who toured New Zealand with the 2017 British and Irish Lions, featured on just five occasions during Wayne Pivac’s 34-Test reign as Wales head coach.

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But with Warren Gatland now back at the helm, 34-year-old Webb is once again battling for a Test spot as part of Wales’ Six Nations squad.

“It has obviously been a long time out of the international set-up, and it is an absolute joy to be back,” Webb said.

“It’s like when I first got called up in 2012 with the goose-bumps. The feeling has all come back to me, and I am just loving every day being in camp with the boys.

“I am a competitor and believe in myself and my ability. I never once wrote it off.

“I am obviously over the moon and delighted to be back, but for me personally this is where I feel I belong.

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“I have still got that fire in my belly, and every time I put that Welsh jersey on it fills me with pride.”

Webb is among a number of seasoned campaigners in the Wales squad, with his 36-cap international career spread over the last 10 years.

And he looks set to have a key Six Nations role alongside the likes of fellow thirtysomethings like Dan Biggar, Ken Owens, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric.

“We know we can’t go on forever but we know what we need to do for our bodies to be in the best possible way and thrive in international rugby,” Webb added.

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“It is credit to the boys for keeping themselves fit and healthy for a long time.

“For me personally, I look at the football boys like Ronaldo and Messi, who are still playing in World Cups at 37 and 35. If they can do it, we can do it.”

Despite being largely overlooked during the Pivac era, Webb has maintained consistent Ospreys form and now contests the Wales number nine shirt with Tomos Williams and Kieran Hardy.

“You are obviously disappointed at the time, but I have never let it get to me,” Webb said, on his absence from the international scene.

“Even when I am not picked in the Welsh squad I’ve got a job to do. I’ve got one of the best jobs in the world, playing rugby.

“The Ospreys pay my wages, so I have to go out there and perform. Playing is a release for me, and that is what I do best.

“It has been a disappointment not to make squads, but I have been enjoying myself playing week in, week out, and now to be back is great.”

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Trevor 11 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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