By Steffan Thomas
Gareth Anscombe has been ruled out for the majority of this season in a significant blow to the Ospreys and Wales.
The 29-year-old was ruled out of last year’s World Cup in Japan after damaging his knee ligaments against England at Twickenham last August.
This is a hammer blow for both the player and the Ospreys who signed for from the Cardiff Blues in the summer of 2019.
The former Junior All Black has yet to play a single minute of rugby for the Swansea based side and should he return to action next season he will have spent two years on the side-lines.
Anscombe was Warren Gatland’s first choice playmaker having ousted Dan Biggar from the much sought after Wales number 10 jersey. When he returns he will face stiff competition with Bristol Bears outside-half Callum Sheedy having been named in Wayne Pivac’s latest squad after opting to represent Wales over England or Ireland.
“Gareth will miss the majority if not all of this season,” said Pivac.
“It is a blow because he [Anscombe] is a quality player.
“He was playing a lot in the number 10 jersey for Warren [Gatland] in the lead up to the World Cup.
“He had that injury which was devastating for a guy who wanted to go to a World Cup, and also for the team.”
But despite his lengthy absence Pivac is confident Anscombe can return to the field.
He said: “To have him out for so long is not great, but he is working very hard and I have been talking to him today and he has been in the building here.
“I was just talking to him before coming on here (a virtual press conference) and he’s working very hard.
“We have had a few injuries at fly-half with Rhys Patchell also only playing 13 minutes of rugby since the last World Cup and are looking for the depth in that position.”