RHYS Webb was “over the moon” after making a try-scoring return to the Wales starting XV in the 67-14 demolition of Italy on Saturday.

The scrum-half fully vindicated Warren Gatland’s decision to bring him into the side at the expense of Gareth Davies, with Webb touching down inside the first five minutes.

It was a sweet moment for the number nine as his previous start in a Welsh jersey, against the same opponents last September, had seen him suffer an injury which ruled him out of the World Cup.

“Like I said in the week, it’s a bit of a whirlwind season for me so far,” said Webb. “I was obviously happy to get the start and I just wanted to go out there and enjoy it.

“I hadn’t really thought of the injury at all, so it’s been at the back of the head.

“I’m in a good place, I feel good, and I was over the moon to get on the scoreboard with the first try.

“It was obviously a disappointing first-half performance last weekend (at Twickenham), and it was a tough two days at the beginning of the week, but the boys went out and expressed themselves really.

“We’ve had a good week training, full of smiles, and obviously we are disappointed that it was a poor performance against England, but we’ve picked ourselves up and I think it’s our best performance against the Italian side.”

As well as trying to help Ospreys secure European rugby for next season with a top-six finish in the Guinness Pro12, Webb will now also be focusing on selection for Wales’ trip to Twickenham in the summer and the tour to New Zealand.

“I think they mentioned 71 days until we face England again in Twickenham so hopefully the boys are going to look after themselves, not pick up too many bumps along the way, build on this performance and take it to England and have a successful summer tour,” he added.

“We’ve got a hell of a squad here with strength in depth and when we play well we do play well.

“We gave them (New Zealand) a good run for their money when they played here two years ago, I think we blew it in the last 10-15 minutes.

“We’re going to go over there full of confidence, as we should really, and whoever is named in that squad should want to go over there and win.”