Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe will join Ospreys ahead of next season after deciding to call time on his stay with Cardiff Blues. Premiership clubs Harlequins, Bristol and Bath were all linked with Anscombe but he has decided to remain in Wales to ensure he can continue playing for his nation, with the 27-year-old under the minimum 60-cap selection requirement to be eligible for selection if he were to move to a different league.
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He said: “I’m delighted to have secured my future to play professional rugby in Wales and to be joining the Ospreys.” Anscombe added: “I am very happy to finally be able to put pen to paper during what’s been an unsettling time and commit to staying in Wales.
“I know a lot of the boys from my time with the Wales team and they can’t speak highly enough of the spirit and ambition within the region which really excites me. “I’ve been impressed with the vision and the long-term goals of the coaches and region as a whole and I would like to thank them for supporting my dream to continue playing pro rugby in Wales and, if I am playing well enough, to play for my country.
” Cardiff had offered Anscombe a new deal and coach John Mulvihill said last week he was “hopeful” he would stick with the Blues, while stating they had a contingency plan if he did decide to depart.
