Anscombe arrives with glowing recommendation, says Gatland

Warren Gatland revealed a glowing recommendation from one of world rugby’s outstanding coaches played its part in New Zealand-born Gareth Anscombe making an unlikely journey from Super Rugby to potential Wales Test star.

Anscombe, 23, is among four uncapped players in Wales head coach Gatland’s 34-man squad for this season’s RBS 6 Nations Championship. Despite making just nine appearances as a Cardiff Blues player, the former Auckland Chiefs fly-half will report for Wales duty next week, joining forces with fellow number 10s Dan Biggar and Rhys Priestland.

Anscombe, whose mother was born in Wales, offers Gatland options at fly-half and full-back. And the Wales boss says a conversation he had with Wayne Smith, who worked withAnscombe at the Chiefs provided an invaluable guide.