Webb knows more than a thing or two about battling back from major injuries and was delighted to see Anscombe start the recent pre-season friendly against Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens.
But he hopes the 30-year-old Grand Slam-clinching outside-half will be allowed to find his feet with the Ospreys before there is any clamour to recall him to Wayne Pivac’s national squad.
“It was wonderful to see Gareth coming back after two years out up in Northampton. He has shown great strength and resilience to come back in the condition he has – it is remarkable,” said Webb.
“Just having his knowledge and experience about the place can help our younger 10s to develop.
“It’s obviously a dream of Gareth’s to get back into the Welsh set-up, but let’s not look too soon.
“He needs to be allowed to focus and to play his game so he can continue to put in performances for the Ospreys.”
Gareth Anscombe of Ospreys
It was wonderful to see Gareth coming back after two years out up in Northampton. He has shown great strength and resilience to come back in the condition he has – it is remarkable
Webb is looking forward to getting back to playing in front of fans once again after the Covid-hit campaign of last season.
“I’m just looking to play week in, week out at the Ospreys. We’ve got a lot of good young scrum-halves coming through to keep me on my toes,” he added.
“It will just be great to get back on the field and play in front of fans once again. It is something I really missed and is something I believe will get that extra 1 per cent out of me.”
The new season will bring an expanded tournament for the Ospreys to play in with four South African franchises added to create the United Rugby Championship.
There will also be some new rules.
But as well as getting to grips with the 50-22 law variation and goal-line drop outs, Webb found out last week he will have to adhere to the strict letter of the law in putting the ball straight into the scrum this season.
“I would have been pulled up a few times for not straight when I was younger. There are different ways and techniques around it and you’ve seen a bit more crooked feeds in the game of late,” he said.
“But I had to put it in straight at Northampton after the directive to referees from World Rugby.
“I think it would just be easier if we went to a rugby league style and got the ball to the No 8’s feet as quickly as possible and just played some rugby.
“Given the exciting backs we’ve got and what the crowd want to see, that would be the best thing that could happen. I’m not sure the front five would agree with it, though, because scrums are their bread and butter.
“The 50-22 law is quite exciting. A lot of teams will be covering the back field so there should be more space to throw the ball around. It is about finding the balance and being smart.”
