Gatland has not ruled out a Wales return for Rhys Webb

Wales head coach Warren Gatland has hinted that scrum-half Rhys Webb could return to the Wales squad ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup regardless of his three-year deal with Toulon.

Webb is currently ineligible for international selection because he only has 31 international caps, not the required 60. The rule states that players based outside the country need a minimum of 60 caps to be selected by Wales.

"I feel so sorry for Rhys Webb," said Gatland.

"I would love the opportunity to be able to pick him. The rules say that I can’t. If there are a couple of injuries I would like to think – if we had lost two of our three No 9s that we have at the moment, which are probably the three front-runners – then maybe some common sense would prevail...

"I think they (Rugby Management Board) understand, if you talk to them they know what the situation is. I don’t think that anyone wants to see a team hampered by the ability to be able to pick the best player.

"We do have regulations at the moment which have been agreed by the Union and the regions, not so much the coaches – they would be more flexible."

Webb, who missed Toulon’s weekend victory against Agen due to injury, last played for Wales against South Africa in December 2017 and made three starts for Toulon at the start of the Top 14 season.

Webb's Stats