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Webb loving life with Wales

Webb loving life with Wales

Rhys Webb is relishing every moment in a Wales shirt as he sets his sights on finishing the 2017 RBS 6 Nations on a high in Paris on Saturday.

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The scrum-half enjoyed a man-on-the-match performance in the 22-9 win over Ireland last Friday, and the Ospreys man has opened up on just what it means to him to pull on the famous red shirt.

He said: “I have just got back fit and it’s a case of not looking too far ahead.

“Playing for the Ospreys and Wales means I just cherish every moment of wearing the jersey. A lot of legends have worn the red jersey, and I want to emulate them.

“I give my best in every game I play, respect the jersey, and give 100 per cent. I just go out there with a big smile on my face and enjoy it. That’s the way I was brought up.

“My father used to say whoever you are, go out there and just enjoy it. That’s the message I pass on to my boy now with his rugby. When you do that, good things happen.”

Webb has picked out Northampton Saints back-row Louis Picamoles as France’s danger man for the crunch clash between the two sides, but reckons another strong defensive display will contain his threat.

“He is a massive player for them, a guy we need to shut down early,” said Webb. “We have fronted up against these big guys during the tournament, Nathan Hughes and others.

“We are expecting him to come at us, carry hard, but hopefully we can stop him at the gain line, stop his momentum, and put in another brutal performance.”

Another man Webb will have to be wary of is his opposition number Baptiste Serin, who also put in a man-of-the-match performance in round four as France thrashed Italy 40-18.

“I haven’t seen too much of him to be honest,” admitted Webb. “I am just concentrating on myself and making sure I do my job and roles to my best. If I give 100 per cent, then everything will look after itself.

“I will play the game as I see it and if France do tire and I see a gap, I will go for it. It all depends on the game and the speed of ball, we will have to wait and see.”

Rob Howley’s men have extra incentive to make it six wins on the trot against France with a top four berth in the world rankings very much a possibility ahead of May’s World Cup draw.

Webb insists his team-mates have not been focusing on that scenario, but rather preparing for the challenge against Guy Noves’ side.

He added: “Going fourth is not something that we will be looking at too much as players and after a good performance against a strong Ireland team, we know it’s going to be a difficult task out in France.

“I enjoy playing over there, but whatever happens after that will be happy days.”

Follow all the build-up to France against Wales on the WRU live blog by clicking here.

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