'Personally I don't know how people can still play for Wales if they play outside of Wales'

Rhys Webb has nipped in the bud speculation surrounding his future by accepting he is unlikely to play for Wales again until his contract at Toulon ends in 2021.

With the countdown on to the 2019 World Cup in Japan, Webb has been at the centre of rumours that he could try and manufacture a way out of the French club in order to make himself available for Warren Gatland’s finals squad.

However, the scrum-half has admitted to the Scrum V podcast he can’t see himself wearing his national team’s jersey any time soon. “It’s pretty simple. I’m contracted with Toulon for another two years so there’s nothing more to say,” he explained.

“The 60-cap rule came in after I signed for Toulon and that’s where I stand at the moment. I’m a Toulon player for the next two years. To be honest it would be easy for me to pack my bags now and walk away just because Toulon haven’t had a very good season, but I’m a hungry person.

“I’ve got a lot of drive in me and I want to get Toulon back to where they belong and hopefully in the next two years I can help do that.”

Rhys Webb is resigned to not playing for Wales again until his contract at Toulon ends in 2021.https://t.co/oLBV8QD2m9 pic.twitter.com/Aw7uwINfuF

— BBC Rugby Union (@bbcrugbyunion) April 9, 2019

Webb did add that he is still confused by the mechanics regarding the application of the 60-cap rule due to the recent emergence of a number of loopholes

Exeter-based prop Tomos Francis is still eligible to play for Wales despite staying with the Chiefs, the reason being that he activated a clause for an extension in an existing contract.

There is also the situation where Saracens-bound Rhys Carre won’t be affected by the rule because the Cardiff prop has not yet been involved in a senior Wales squad.

“It does confuse me, but I’m not going to say too much,” said Webb. “Personally I don’t know how people can still play for Wales if they play outside of Wales.

“I haven’t shut the door on playing for Wales, but there’s a 60-cap rule in place at the moment. Who knows after my Toulon contract, I can come back to Wales and play and maybe I can play for Wales then, but it’s simple at the moment.”