Rhys Webb will become the first scrum-half to make 100 Ospreys appearances when he takes to the field on Sunday for the PRO12 clash against Benetton Treviso at the Liberty Stadium.
The 25-year old from Bridgend is the 21st player to reach the century landmark for the region.
A product of the Ospreys development pathway having played his junior club rugby with Bridgend Athletic, Webb came through the regional age-grade ranks to make his senior debut at the end of the 2007/08 season, coming off the bench during a 32-7 win over Ulster at the Liberty Stadium.
His first start came just two months later, in an 18-10 defeat against Newport Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade. In his 99 regional appearances to date, he has scored nine tries.
An age-grade international, he was part of the Wales Sevens team that won the IRB Sevens World Cup in Dubai. His senior international debut came in March 2012 against Italy during Wales’ Grand Slam success, and he has four caps to date - the last of which came against the same opponents two weeks ago.
Ospreys Chairman, Roger Blyth, will present Webb with a special commemorative jersey to mark the achievement ahead of kick-off on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of his 100th game for the region, Webb said:
“Coming through the system here, it’s all I ever wanted to do, play for the Ospreys.
“It took me a while to really establish myself here as there have been so many great scrum halves in the squad, so to be able to get to 100 caps this weekend is a great privilege.
“I’ve had my time out with injury, so that makes it an even greater honour for me to reach 100 games for my home region. I’m enjoying the experience of being in the Wales camp but it’s nice to be home and involved again this weekend to get some game time. It’s a special occasion for me personally and I want to do well, but what’s important is that I can help the team to achieve a good performance and hopefully the win that will help us towards the play-offs. That’s the biggest thing.”
Ospreys Head Coach, Steve Tandy, paid tribute to Webb on his achievement, saying:
“For any player to achieve 100 regional caps is something to be immensely proud of, especially to someone like Rhys who is born and bred in the region and takes great pride in wearing the shirt.
“He suffered a serious injury at the end of last season but has shown great application and commitment to not only return to action ahead of schedule, but to show the kind of form that has earned him a well deserved return to the national squad. He is still only 25 so his best years are ahead of him. If he continues to show the same attitude and desire for the shirt, there is no reason that he can’t go on to record another 100 appearances for his home region.”