Rhys Webb could pay as Wales alter selection policy

Rhys Webb could become the first high-profile casualty of Wales’ new senior player selection policy, with Wales head coach Warren Gatland admitting he feels for his star scrum-half, who has agreed to join big-spending French club Toulon next season.

The Welsh Rugby Union has changed its international player guidelines and scrapped the so-called Gatland’s Law. Heading into this term and next, players with clubs outside Wales required one of four wildcard picks from Gatland to represent their country, with that figure dropping to two for the 2019-20 World Cup season.

It was designed to keep players in Wales, but the policy did not work, with big names currently in the Aviva Premiership including George North, Liam Williams, Jamie Roberts and Taulupe Faletau, while Dan Biggar will join Northampton next season.