Conor Murray is often credited for his physicality and robust defence. Rhys Webb may give away a couple of inches in height but that’s about it.
The Welsh scrum-half is set for the biggest tour of his life, with the British & Irish Lions, and looks in top shape for it.
We wonder who had the idea of placing Webb straight behind Murray – his main scrum-half rival – in the official squad photo.
The arms on the man put Ireland flanker CJ Stander to shame.
Of course, Ireland and Lions legend Brian O’Driscoll was more concerned with Webb’s copper-tone skin and a recently acquired streak of blonde:
Quick trip to #stTropez for @Rhys_W009 this week?! 🤔 https://t.co/A2cfXV1vvP
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) May 8, 2017
Ahead of this season’s Guinness PRO12 awards, Webb admitted to reporters that he was ‘the underdog’ for that Lions No.9 jersey but claimed he was looking forward to the challenge. He added:
“I’m not just going to go there and give him a pat on the back and wish him all the best for the Test match, I’m going to go there to push him. We’ve these [knock-out] games coming up first, but it starts from day one in the camp.”
Webb has bounced back well from the foot and ankle injuries that took chunks out of his past two seasons. He has been in top form for Ospreys and Wales are an altogether different animal when he is spinning passes and testing defensive lines.
Very few players in this current Lions squad could claim to work as hard on their fitness, physique and game as Webb. Even during the off season, he seeks out different ways of staying in shape. Back in 2016, he told Wales Online:
“I stayed away from the weights and did a bit of swimming and boxing to keep in shape.
“I box in a local gym, K2, near me, to freshen up my training and do different things. I’ve been in the spin classes, do some paddle-boarding and kayaking – a bit of everything, really.”
The pursuit of sporting excellence has taken him down many different paths.
https://www.instagram.com/p/5IOjkrq9LH/?taken-by=rhysw0912
https://www.instagram.com/p/RfhaioK9I1/?taken-by=rhysw0912
It’s a long way off the young player former Ospreys coach Scott Johnson described as ‘a fat little guy who made me look slim’ when he first met him in 2009.
And the 28-year-old has no qualms about showing off the fruits of his gym labours.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOsR_xxgJF8/?taken-by=rhysw0912
Webb surely has no need to be this ripped but he’s in good company…
