Rhys Webb Has His Mind On Paris, Not Auckland

Rhys Webb is to leave the Ospreys. Pic: Getty Images.

Rhys Webb Has His Mind On Paris, Not Auckland

Rhys Webb insists the Lions can wait until after Wales have enjoyed some springtime in Paris.

The Ospreys scrum-half says his thoughts are focussed solely on ending the Six Nations on a high this Saturday, rather than a summer spent in New Zealand with the tourists.

Webb was man-of-the-match in Friday night’s 22-9 victory over Ireland at the Principality Stadium. Not only did he help create the first try for George North with a brilliant long pass off his left hand, but he outplayed his Lions rival Conor Murray both before and after the Ireland No.9 was injured.

But injuries have often cast their shadow over Webb and he says: “My main focus is on France next week, and whatever happens, happens. I am just enjoying myself.

“I know what it is like to miss out on big tournaments – I missed out on the World Cup in 2015 (through injury) – so I just take each game as it comes, and the more I do that, the more I enjoy my rugby.

“I have got every confidence in my own ability. I know what I can do. I am feeling good. I am feeling fit.”

Wales’ biggest win against Ireland for 34 years came after a collective display that proved poles apart from events at Murrayfield two weeks previously, when Scotland scored 20 unanswered second half points and effectively ended the Six Nations title hopes of Webb and company.

But a strong finale in France this week – Wales have toppled Les Bleus on four Six Nations occasions at Stade de France – should secure a top-three finish.

“We know as individuals that we are good players and we believe in ourselves, and to produce a performance like that – three tries to zero – against a strong, quality Ireland team is not bad is it?” Webb added.

“We go to France now, who are one of the best attacking teams in the Six Nations, and we need to prepare well and finish strong.

“We knew as a collective that we were only fine margins away – little off-loads, discipline – those sort of things.

“We believe in ourselves and we go out there to win. We definitely owed the fans a win, and the support was unbelievable.”

Two North tries and a late Jamie Roberts touchdown underpinned arguably Wales’ best performance since last summer’s first Test in New Zealand after a number of their leading players hit top form.

Centre Jonathan Davies, another strong Lions candidate, was among them, and he said: “It was an unbelievable Test match. To come through at the end, it was a huge result for us.

“We scored three tries and kept Ireland out from scoring a try. They scored five tries against New Zealand (last November) and are one of the best attacking teams in world rugby, and we kept them to a blank score.

“Keeping a very potent attacking team to not scoring a try was huge to getting the victory.

“France are improving hugely. We know the threat they pose next week, and for us it’s making sure we come in on Monday, ready to perform.

“People are welcome to their opinions, but for us, it’s about believing in ourselves. Alun Wyn (Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones) always says ‘what do we want to be remembered for?’ and I thought the performance showed that.

“The buzz around the camp had been positive all week.

 

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