The debate over Rhys Webb's eligibility has kicked off again on Twitter

With under six months to go until this year’s World Cup in Japan, some players in the northern hemisphere will not have long to impress and earn a place at the tournament, with the season reaching an end.

However, one debate that looks set to rage on until September is the eligibility of Rhys Webb to represent Wales at the World Cup this year.

This topic was once again raised on BBC Scrum V, and has evoked quite a reaction from Welsh fans on Twitter, with many arguing for and against his inclusion.

Webb joined French giants Toulon at the beginning of the season, making him ineligible to represent Wales as he has under 60 caps. However, there may be measures to make sure he can play in Japan, such as a short-term contract.

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Some fans are very much for this, as ultimately they want the best team possible when it comes to the World Cup, and Webb would still be a favourite to start. Neither Gareth Davies, Tomos Williams or Aled Davies have been able to secure the number nine shirt since Webb departed, and it appears many fans would welcome back the former Osprey with open arms.

This is what they are saying:

https://twitter.com/NMarzy4/status/1114951181489537025
https://twitter.com/Ginger_Ninja27/status/1114995523625394178
https://twitter.com/DavidMBurke/status/1114970253283479562
https://twitter.com/AlunHarries1/status/1114968560655376384
https://twitter.com/rhodri13jw/status/1114951700882829313

You either pay the players their open market value, don’t pick them or … change the 60 cap rule and have a shout at winning the World Cup. Rhys Webb would get into the side in a heartbeat.

— Graham Binns (@Binnsey22) April 2, 2019

On the other hand, it is being argued that Webb knew the consequences of his departure when he left for Toulon, and it is therefore unfair on the other players that have remained in Wales if they miss out on a World Cup place.

What makes this particularly interesting is that there is a grey area in which Webb may or may not have been aware of the consequences of this move, as Wales implemented the rule at a similar time to the announcement of his departure. With consistent loopholes being found in this ruling, particularly by English clubs, this could lead to another instance where a player has wrangled his way into the Warren Gatland’s team.

This is what the fans are saying:

https://twitter.com/brenzinho/status/1114952856640073728
https://twitter.com/markthomas157cb/status/1114962832477626370
https://twitter.com/richard62467632/status/1115185684325838849
https://twitter.com/AlunHodson/status/1114968824988733440

Harsh on the other 3 scrum halfs. The grand slam winning scrum halfs!

— Ollie Jonas (@oliverjonas2) April 7, 2019

The crux of the issue to these fans is that Webb knew what he was doing, and he must face the consequences of his move away from Wales. Anything otherwise could prove to be divisive.