Wales call up Rhys Webb for injured Lloyd Williams

Posted on Mar 9, 2012

Rhys Webb will replace Lloyd Williams on the replacements bench for Wales’ RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday (Kick-off 2.30pm).

Ospreys scrum-half Webb was named in the pre-tournament training camp which travelled to Gdansk, Poland, at the end of January, but has yet to make his international debut. Blues scrum-half Williams has withdrawn from the game due to a thigh strain, which he picked up this week during Welsh preparations at the WRU National Centre of Excellence at the Vale Resort, Hensol.

Webb, 23, is now in his fifth season at the Ospreys, having cut his teeth in domestic rugby at Bridgend Athletic in the WRU National Leagues. He won the Reebok Regional Championship trophy with the Ospreys U18 during the 2005-2006 season and was a losing finalist with the Ospreys U20 during the 2006-2007 season.

He also played for Wales U18 in the 2005-2006 U18 Home Four Nations Championship and was a member of the 2006-2007 Wales U19 set up for the IRB U19 World Championships, playing alongside Sam Warburton, Leigh Halfpenny and Ryan Bevington. He then joined the same trio at the Junior World Championships at Under 20 level the next year when the tournament was hosted by Wales. The talented Ospreys scrum half was also a member of the Wales World Sevens Cup winning squad in Dubai in 2009.

Although tickets for the Azzurri’s visit to Cardiff are still selling in their hundreds on a daily basis, with 74,500 seats the Millennium Stadium still has capacity. Tickets are available online at wru.co.uk and ticketlineuk.com or from the telephone hotline 02920 230130.

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Michael Phillips; Gethin Jenkins (C), Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau

REPLACEMENTS: Ken Owens, Paul James, Luke Charteris, Ryan Jones, Rhys Webb, James Hook, Scott Williams

Rhys Webb on the road to recovery

Posted on Jul 19, 2011

After undergoing keyhole surgery at the end of last season, scrum-half Rhys Webb in well on the road to recovery and on target to return to action in time for the start of the Rabodirect Pro 12 campaign on the first weekend of September.

The 22-year old had a minor procedure on his shoulder in May and is making good progress under the watchful eye of the medical team and conditioning coaches as the countdown to the new season continues.

Speaking about the race for fitness before the season kicks-off, Webb said:

“The shoulder is feeling 100 per cent again which is good, I’m getting some strength back there. At the moment I’m working hard in rehab and conditioning, the physios and the conditioning coaches are really pushing me to get me ready for the start of the season.

“I’m doubling up really, getting the rehab in and trying to ensure I don’t miss out on pre-season work but it’ll be worth the effort to be able to be involved on the opening weekend. Fingers crossed, I’m on target for that which is great news. Anything before that is a bonus.”
2010/11 turned out to be something of a breakthrough season for Webb that saw him clock up a total of 21 appearances for the region, 18 of them coming as starts, and he is absolutely clear about what helped him make an impact, as he explained:

“It’s about being more professional in how you approach matches, and concentrating more on analysis more than anything. Learning my roles and what the opposition are doing. It’s important to watch them, pay extra attention to what my opposite number does, really work on it and then by game time you get a good understanding of what you are up against. It can make a big difference to how you perform at the weekend.”

With the impending arrival of new signing, Crusaders and Samoa scrum-half Kahn Fotuali’i post Rugby World Cup, Webb knows that he faces a tough fight if he is to keep hold of the number nine shirt he made his own in the second half of last season, but as just one of a number of young players who shone for the Ospreys in that period he is under no illusions of the task ahead of him:

“I’ve been keeping an eye on him (Fotuali’i) over the summer, he’s a quality player and we’ll welcome him into the squad. It’s going to be interesting fighting for the jersey. I’m looking forward to it, the competition should make us both better players. Hopefully, I’ll get an opportunity at the start of the season, but when he comes here after the World Cup is when it’ll get interesting. It should be good for everyone

“To be honest, I’m just really looking forward to just getting on the pitch again and being involved with the boys. Hopefully as a young group we can take some of the positives from last season and build on it to do even better for the team.”

Surgery for Ospreys Rhys Webb

Posted on May 26, 2011

Scrum half Rhys Webb is expected to be fit for the start of the new season after undergoing a minor procedure on his shoulder last week.

Webb, who enjoyed his best season yet in an Ospreys shirt during 2010/11 making 21 appearances including 18 starts, has had keyhole surgery on the problem, but Ospreys Head Physio, Chris Towers, is anticipating that the player will make a full recovery ahead of the first game of the new campaign.

He explained:

“As a result of the procedure we expect that Rhys will be kept out of full contact for a period of 12 to 14 weeks.

“We don’t see this impacting too much on his pre-season preparations in terms of his physical work, and as such, we are hopeful that he will be available for selection at the start of the season.”

Meanwhile, tighthead Craig Cross has also undergone surgery, to deal with a cartilage issue in his right knee. Towers added:

“Craig will continue his rehab over the summer break, before undergoing what we expect will be a modified pre-season programme and we would expect that he will come good in time for the start of the season.”