Gatland hopes common sense prevails in Webb selection scenario

Warren Gatland hopes "common sense" will prevail and allow Wales to play the ineligible British and Irish Lions scrum-half Rhys Webb at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Webb is unable to represent Wales following his move from the Ospreys to Toulon as Welsh Rugby Union rules stipulate that players based outside the country must have 60 caps.

The 29-year-old has 31 caps and WRU chief executive Martyn Phillips said last week that the rules will remain in place for the foreseeable future as doing otherwise gives people "false hope".

But Wales coach Gatland has not given up hope of having Webb in his World Cup squad in Japan 12 months from now.