It has created plenty of conversation, but the signing of Gareth Anscombe can only be a good thing for Gloucester Rugby.
The Cherry & Whites have secured the services of big name fly-half Anscombe ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The Wales international had been a free agent since his contract at Tokyo Suntory Goliath was cancelled due to a knee injury picked up at the tail end of the World Cup.
Anscombe has also played for Cardiff and the Ospreys in Wales, kicking the former to Challenge Cup glory at the expense of Gloucester in 2018. Before that, Anscombe was a New Zealand youth international, hailing from Auckland.
The signing has caused a bit of a social media storm for various reasons, with one major point being his injury record in the last few years. After his move to The Ospreys, he only made 14 appearances across four years, which won’t harbour the concerns of the most cynical of Gloucester supporters.
The signing also creates a supposed conundrum at fly-half, with six different players being able to play there if none move on at the end of the season.
George Barton, Lloyd Evans, Santiago Carreras and Charlie Atkinson can all play at 10, with all of them having experience at full-back too. Current first choice Adam Hastings is widely expected to be leaving the club soon.
However, this won’t shouldn’t cause much of a problem as if world class players are available you take them immediately and Anscombe certainly falls into that bracket.
The remaining players can also lean on Anscombe’s experience and quality, and enhance themselves so that when his contract ends at the end of the following season, they are ready to step up in his place.
Another reason it makes sense having Anscombe in, is his style of play. He’s very kick-based as a creative player, which suits the way Gloucester play best. Statistically over the last few years, the Cherry & Whites kick more than any side in the Gallagher Premiership.
If Anscombe can kick well, Gloucester’s big forward pack may get territory to do what they do best at scrum time and in the mauls.
The signing of Tomos Williams undoubtedly played a part too, with the current Wales scrum-half linking back up with his former Cardiff teammate.
Overall their can be no doubt Anscombe is a shrewd bit of business and will help revitalise an under-performing Gloucester side next season.
