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Anscombe happy to play Scarlets supporting role

Veteran fly-half Gareth Anscombe has linked up with Scarlets for what could be his career's closing chapter following his departure from French outfit Bayonne. The 35-year-old was brought in by head coach Dwayne Peel to provide depth and guidance alongside Welsh international Sam Costelow and 18-year-old prospect Carwyn Leggatt-Jones.

While Anscombe acknowledges that his age means embracing a mentorship capacity, he still aims to push for game time and make selection difficult for the coaching staff after enduring years of interrupted play, having managed only 41 total appearances across spells with Cardiff, Ospreys, Gloucester, and Bayonne since sustaining a major knee injury in 2019.

Anscombe made his unofficial debut for the region during an 80-14 exhibition loss to Dragons and is lined up to participate in an upcoming clash against Saracens. Scarlets will then kick off their United Rugby Championship schedule on 26 September with a home derby fixture against Cardiff in Llanelli.

Looking to the future of the Welsh game, the experienced playmaker also expressed hope that selectors refrain from thrusting emerging talents like Leggatt-Jones into the senior international setup too prematurely.