Another Welsh international jumping ship

Rhys Webb is leaving Ospreys at the end of the season to join Toulon.

More to follow....

Taken from BBC:-

Rhys Webb: Wales and Ospreys scrum-half to leave Ospreys for Toulon.

Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb will leave Ospreys at the end of the season to join Toulon on a three-year contract.

Webb, 28, is out of contract next summer with the Welsh Rugby Union and Ospreys.

The move could jeopardise his international future, as WRU selection policy permits only four players at clubs outside Wales to play for the national side for the next two seasons.

The quota will drop to just two wildcard picks for the 2019-20 season.

Webb's Wales and Ospreys half-back partner Dan Biggar will join English side Northampton next season.

The news of another star's departure will be a blow to Welsh rugby, with Webb to end his 11-year association with the region.

He made his debut for Ospreys in 2007 after coming through the Bridgend ranks and played his first game for Wales in the 2012 Six Nations against Italy as a replacement.

Webb, won two British and Irish Lions caps on the 2017 tour to New Zealand, has 28 Wales caps and scored a try off the bench for the Lions in the first Test defeat against New Zealand in June.

Toulon have previously recruited Wales duo Leigh Halfpenny and Gethin Jenkins.

Link:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41504377

Another crisis?

You can't blame him. It's a short career, he'll earn much more money at Toulon and he'll be playing for a much better team.

We've only got 4 pro sides so I've not got a huge issue with senior players leaving for pastures new. He's been a good servant to Welsh rugby over the years so don't begrudge him moving on. It allows someone else to perhaps break through at the Ospreys and so we've got the potential for at least 5 Welsh scrum halves to be vying for a starting spot. I would have an issue if he was just emerging on the scene, but that is not the case.

Also, depending on his contract and agreements I'd still pick him for Wales if he can attend training, etc. I wouldn't cast him aside for leaving Wales. He's still out no.1 SH so let's not be hasty.

Time for a rebuild at the Ospreys. They should start with the coaches though.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:You can't blame him. It's a short career, he'll earn much more money at Toulon and he'll be playing for a much better team.

And on the French coast not Wales.

Port Talbot is beautiful this time of year.

Scottrf wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:You can't blame him. It's a short career, he'll earn much more money at Toulon and he'll be playing for a much better team.

And on the French coast not Wales.

There is that, but for me, West Wales is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Some of the beaches around the Gower and further on to St Davids are just awe inspiring.

Some of the best in the world in my honest opinion.

LordDowlais wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:You can't blame him. It's a short career, he'll earn much more money at Toulon and he'll be playing for a much better team.

And on the French coast not Wales.

There is that, but for me, West Wales is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Some of the beaches around the Gower and further on to St Davids are just awe inspiring.

Some of the best in the world in my honest opinion.

Some of Wales is lovely, but the places you have rugby teams? Na.

I'm going to start a new thread for every player signed for or leaving an AP team in line with this thread

Scottrf wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:You can't blame him. It's a short career, he'll earn much more money at Toulon and he'll be playing for a much better team.

And on the French coast not Wales.

There is that, but for me, West Wales is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Some of the beaches around the Gower and further on to St Davids are just awe inspiring.

Some of the best in the world in my honest opinion.

Some of Wales is lovely, but the places you have rugby teams? Na.

Swansea where Ospreys are has this place:-

www.google.co.uk/search?q=three+cliffs+bay&rlz=1C1GGRV_enGB751GB751&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjj3LWepdnWAhWMJ8AKHT-yCMQQsAQIaA&biw=1280&bih=616

LordDowlais wrote:Swansea where Ospreys are has this place:-

www.google.co.uk/search?q=three+cliffs+bay&rlz=1C1GGRV_enGB751GB751&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjj3LWepdnWAhWMJ8AKHT-yCMQQsAQIaA&biw=1280&bih=616

Okay that looks pretty nice...but is it as warm as the South of France?

VinceWLB wrote:Time for a rebuild at the Ospreys. They should start with the coaches though.

You've got a new forwards coach - Allan Clarke.
You could have knocked me down with a feather when he signed for Ospreys.

The joke doing the round here, in Ulster, is Agent Clarke is doing his job to perfection.
It was a terrible appointment and Osprey will go nowhere with him there.

The man is poison

Scottrf wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Swansea where Ospreys are has this place:-

www.google.co.uk/search?q=three+cliffs+bay&rlz=1C1GGRV_enGB751GB751&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjj3LWepdnWAhWMJ8AKHT-yCMQQsAQIaA&biw=1280&bih=616

Okay that looks pretty nice...but is it as warm as the South of France?

All depends, it can be, once or twice a year.

But for the most part, it's just grey sky's and drizzle.

See, you can cut and paste links!

Scottrf wrote:

LordDowlais wrote:Swansea where Ospreys are has this place:-

www.google.co.uk/search?q=three+cliffs+bay&rlz=1C1GGRV_enGB751GB751&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjj3LWepdnWAhWMJ8AKHT-yCMQQsAQIaA&biw=1280&bih=616

Okay that looks pretty nice...but is it as warm as the South of France?

Avg temperature in Toulon in winter 8 degrees, Avg temperature in Swansea in summer 14 degrees

marty2086 wrote:Avg temperature in Toulon in winter 8 degrees, Avg temperature in Swansea in summer 14 degrees

Wow, I would not have thought that.

But I wonder what the average rainfall is between the two places.

From what I have heard Webb is likely to be replaced by one of Gareth Davies, Aled Davies or Rhodri Williams. So it looks likely they will have a welsh international scrum half playing at the liberty next season, and probably for far less would have wanted (or maybe the same as Webb's NDC into account).

I have heard that money is really tight at Ospreys at the minute.

A statement fro Rhys Webb, taken from WOL;-

Speaking of his decision to leave the region at which he has been for his entire career, Webb said: “It’s a huge wrench to be leaving the Ospreys after spending all of my playing career with the team. I have made lifelong friends on and off the pitch and I cannot speak highly enough of the quality of the coaching team, players and all of the staff involved within the Ospreys organisation.

“I will continue to give the region everything I can to make sure we have the best season possible and I would like to conclude by saying a heartfelt thanks to everyone within the Region for helping me achieve my goals within rugby.

“I would like to thank the WRU and the Ospreys for their efforts during this process.”
The statement insists that 'every effort was made to retain the player' but whether that means the Lions No.9 would be captured but Gatland's law remains to be clarified.

Though it is understood he's leaving with Wales boss Warren Gatland's blessing.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:From what I have heard Webb is likely to be replaced by one of Gareth Davies, Aled Davies or Rhodri Williams.  .

I can't see Gareth Davies playing for them. Doesn't his dad sponsor the Scarlets?

Where is the ambition from the Ospreys in all this, thats what I want to know. They'll be throwing games against Treviso next...

RugbyFan100 wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:From what I have heard Webb is likely to be replaced by one of Gareth Davies, Aled Davies or Rhodri Williams.  .

I can't see Gareth Davies playing for them. Doesn't his dad sponsor the Scarlets?

He does. But with three scrum halves all out of contract, and all capable first team options one will most likely go out of Aled and Gareth. So it could be a simple case if who gets offered the most elsewhere

It looks as though Rohdri Williams might be in line to replace Webb.

Probably the worst kept secret of this season, Rhys would be really silly to have missed this opportunity to make a shed load of money. With his injury record which is not the best, he has to look out for himself and his young family. Not many if any on our Forum begrudge Rhys this opportunity to build his bank balance.
Just to say Rhys did his apprenticeship, with the likes of Justin Marshall, Jason Spice, Khan Fotualii, Jamie Nutbrown and very little learned with Mike Phillips, he really blossomed when Khan left us.
He turned into a real predator in the last few years and I wish him all the best for his future.
Thanks Rhys