Wales assessing fly-half Gareth Anscombe ahead of World Cup deadline
Wednesday 26 August 2015 17:44, UK
Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe is being monitored after picking up an ankle injury in training.
The New Zealand-born Cardiff Blues man is in contention to be selected for the Wales World Cup squad, which will be announced on Monday.
The seriousness of Anscombe's injury is not known but a Welsh Rugby Union spokesman said: "Gareth did pick up an ankle injury in training last week, and he is continuing to be assessed at the moment."
The 24-year-old qualifies for Wales through his Cardiff-born mother and signed a WRU national dual contract earlier this year, having joined the Blues from New Zealand Super Rugby side the Chiefs last season.
He made his debut for Wales when he came off the bench during the second half of their 35-21 World Cup warm-up defeat to Ireland earlier this month.
Dan Biggar and Rhys Priestland are likely to fill two fly-half places in head coach Warren Gatland's 31-man squad but the versatile Anscombe also offers full-back and goalkicking cover, so a spot may be found for him as well.
He did his cause no harm with a solid display against the Irish and James Hook of Gloucester, a potential rival for a place, was jettisoned from the extended training squad earlier this month.
Two other players, full-back Liam Williams and prop Samson Lee, are currently continuing their recoveries from foot and Achilles injuries respectively, as Wales prepare to face Ireland in another warm-up fixture in Dublin on Saturday.
