Rhys Webb is sitting by the window in the Sarn Service near Bridgend when we go out for coffee.

He has always enjoyed talking to the press, but in recent years he has avoided individual interviews.

Webb was shielded from the inevitable questions surrounding his Welsh career, given former manager Wayne Pivac’s refusal to select him, despite his form more than deserving of a place in the team.

Wales showdown, Half Six Nations qualifiers as Rhys Webb throws a grenade to spur Warren Gatland on

But there was only one place to start on Monday with Webb grinning like a Cheshire cat 48 hours after the Ospreys’ shock victory over French champions Montpellier in their own backyard, arguably their best result in Europe.

“We made big changes,” he says. “We’re a tight-knit group and we worked really hard for the full 80 minutes, so we have to keep doing it.

“Most people write us off because of our recent results and everything going on at Regionals, but we don’t let that distract us.

“We were very disappointed with the result against Leicester, especially at home, and we knew we could do much better.

“Winning like we did in France against the 14 winners of the Top 14 with our backs against the wall is one of the best results I have ever achieved as a player.

“It reminded me of when I started playing for the Ospreys and we had great players like James Hook, Tommy Bowe, Shane Williams, Lee Byrne, Philo Tiatia, Marty Hola, Adam Jones and Gerry Collins.

“At that time we won big games against strong teams and I think now we have a very good team that will only get better.

“I love playing for the Ospreys and am enjoying my rugby more than I have in years. I hope this season will be even better for me and the team.”

The spirited scrum-half has been a standout for the Ospreys in recent weeks as his handling of the game and the threat he poses with the ball in his hands has proved difficult for opposing defenses.

Webb has not represented Wales since taking on England in November 2020, has not played during the Pivac era and is a true headliner due to his consistent good form at regional level for the Ospreys.

But after Pivac was sacked after a particularly poor 2020, former manager Warren Gatland is back in charge and will lead Wales to their fourth World Cup.

With Gatland’s Six Nations squad likely to be announced in a few weeks, now is the time to tackle the subject of Wales’ withdrawal.

“Oh man, I should have known that would be the issue,” says Webb half-jokingly.

“I’m focused on the ospreys and trying to continue to perform well and contribute to more results, so that’s my priority and no matter what happens I will continue to work hard and keep in top shape.”

He pauses for a minute and then continues. “I think there’s unfinished business,” he says.

“Like any player, I want to play for my country. Coming back to the Ospreys was a huge push for me, but for one reason or another it didn’t work out for me with Wayne, but I have a huge desire to represent my country and play on the biggest stage.

“But like I said, you can just control the controls and everything else will take care of itself.”

As Webb looks back on his departure from the Wales team, he admits it was difficult to accept, but he is full of praise for the way the Ospreys have helped him stay focused.

“It was a tough time, but that’s in the past and I enjoyed playing for the Ospreys,” he says.

“Wales have a very high quality scrum-half. Both Tomos and Kieran have been doing really well lately, so play fair for them.

“Yes, deep down I want to represent my country again, but it is completely out of my hands. I just have to keep enjoying my rugby for who I am and who I will be.

“I’m more mature now than I was in the past and I know not to get too hung up on things. All I can do is play well for the Ospreys and like I said, what will happen will happen.”

“Of course I haven’t been part of Welsh teams recently, although I’m close to most players. I definitely think Wales can turn things around with Warren, I have no doubts.”



Rhys Webb of The Ospreys Takes a Break

At 34, people could be forgiven for assuming that Webb’s international days are behind him, but he doesn’t see it that way. But his performances for the Ospreys this season have been good enough to attract interest from clubs in England, France and Japan.

Indeed, following the Ospreys’ narrow defeat at Leicester, Webb was touted by the new England manager as one of the best players on the pitch.

Webb himself insists he is in the best shape of his career and would be more than capable of playing Test rugby if the challenge comes up again.

“If you talk to the Ospreys guys, they’ll say I’m in good physical shape,” Webb said. “I feel fit, fast, strong, I’ve been playing well every week

“I look at the international circuit and see that there are many mixed halves over 30 who are still going strong. There are guys like Ben Youngs and Aaron Smith, Connor Murray still playing internationally and they’re in the same age group. to me.

“I also look at the football scene of guys like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are still phenomenal players in their 30s and still playing in the biggest competitions in the world.

“I’m really good at recovery and I rarely miss a workout.”

There’s nothing Webb hasn’t gone through since turning rugby professional 14 years ago.

The Bridgend man has earned 38 caps for Wales and two more for the British-Irish Lions on their tour of New Zealand in 2017, as well as playing for French Top 14 side Toulon alongside a very short spell in Bath. 🇧🇷

The only thing missing from his resume is an injury-ravaged World Cup appearance in 2015, while he broke Welsh Rugby Union’s controversial 60-match rule in 2019.

Is playing at the World Cup next year a motivating factor for Webb?

“It would be nice to play in the World Cup, but like I said, I have no control over that. All I can control is myself. The way I get ready every day, my performances and just wanting to do well for the Ospreys. It’s a great team here at the moment and with everything going on with Welsh rugby, we don’t know if this team will be the same next season. So we like to work hard for each other and enjoy each other’s company.

“There’s still a lot of water under the bridge by then. I know that our team’s performance will improve at Ospreys and this victory at Montpellier will increase that.”

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