Welsh Rugby Union close the door on Rhys Webb's test return

The Welsh Rugby Union chiefs have closed the door on the possibility of Rhys Webb playing for Wales again while based in France despite Warren Gatland hopes of recalling the Toulon halfback.

Gatland refused to rule out the prospect of Toulon scrum-half Rhys Webb playing in the 2019 Rugby World Cup despite the player falling short of the 60 test caps required of overseas-based players to play for Wales.

WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips, however, has shut down the possibility of Webb and any other player outside of Wales who fail to meet the 60-cap criteria, playing for the country.

Phillips told WalesOnline, before Gatland's interview this week: "When I first started there was loads of noise about selection policy and Gatland's Law, NDCs (national dual contracts) and players leaving Wales, but that has all gone.

"I am not sure if anyone has noticed, but we don't have that pre-autumn international series 'who can they select who can't they select', because everybody knows where they stand now."

Asked about exceptional cases that could potentially bring Webb back into Welsh selection contention, he added: "That just brings uncertainty again... it is easier to say that is the policy."

When asked on BBC's Scrum V programme if there was a scenario where Webb could become eligible again for Wales.

Phillips said: "No, I think the clarity is the bit that we want really. "If we leave the door even slightly open for people we give them false hope, so we've tried to be really clear on the policy and then rightly or wrongly people know where they stand.