Wales has announced the return of experienced fly-half Gareth Anscombe, who will take on the FIJI Water Flying Fijians in Cardiff tomorrow morning. This marks Anscombe’s first appearance in the number 10 shirt since last year’s World Cup, following a challenging season in which he was sidelined by a groin injury.
At 33 years old, Anscombe has been impressive in his new role at Gloucester and brings valuable experience back to the squad. Coach Warren Gatland noted that while Anscombe may have lost a bit of pace, his leadership, confidence, and communication skills are vital assets for the team. Gatland expressed optimism about Anscombe’s role, saying, “Having that experience coming back into the side has been good over the last few weeks.”
With Anscombe’s selection, Ben Thomas will resume his more familiar position at inside centre, partnering with Max Llewellyn for a refreshed midfield dynamic. Gatland praised Thomas’s performance, highlighting his balance and decision-making abilities on the field.
In a strategic move, the squad features only two replacement backs against Fiji, which includes Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow. Gatland is optimistic about both Anscombe’s performance and the potential impact Costelow could bring off the bench, emphasizing the training and understanding the team has developed.
Kickoff for this exciting match is set for 1:40 am.
This match represents a pivotal moment for Anscombe as he returns to the international stage, and it will be interesting to see how his experience and leadership enhance Wales’ performance against Fiji. Fans can look forward to a thrilling encounter, with both seasoned and emerging talents set to showcase their skills.
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