Warren Gatland addresses Gareth Anscombe’s 2027 World Cup potential

Gareth Anscombe made his full international debut for Wales against Ireland in 2015. The Autumn Nations Series match between Wales and Fiji is scheduled for Sunday, 10 November, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with a kick-off time of 13:40 GMT. Coverage will be available via live commentary on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, and BBC Sounds, alongside live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Wales head coach Warren Gatland expressed uncertainty regarding whether fly-half Gareth Anscombe, who is returning to the squad, could participate in the 2027 World Cup. Anscombe has been named in the squad to play Fiji this Sunday in Cardiff, marking his return to Wales’ number 10 jersey for the first time since the previous year’s World Cup. The 33-year-old, who missed the last season due to a groin injury, has demonstrated strong form with his new club, Gloucester. When questioned about Anscombe’s prospects for the next global tournament in Australia in three years, Gatland stated: “That’s the million dollar question. We are asking that ourselves and we’ll know on Sunday or over the next few weeks, if he is a player who can potentially get through to the next World Cup, hopefully injury-free.” Warren Gatland conveyed his hope that Wales would achieve a positive outcome rather than a difficult one against Fiji on Sunday. Gatland confirmed that Anscombe would be responsible for goal-kicking duties this weekend. The Wales coach acknowledged that Anscombe, who has accumulated 37 international caps over nine years, has modified his playing style after also sustaining a severe knee injury that sidelined him for two years between 2019 and 2021. Gatland remarked: “He won’t like me saying this but he has lost a yard or two of pace from where he was, whereas in the past he was able to cover that full-back position.” He added: “But having that experience coming back into the side has been good over the last few weeks.” Gatland further noted: “He brings a lot of confidence and self-belief into the squad. He does communicate well with the players, which is important from a leadership perspective.” Anscombe’s inclusion will enable Ben Thomas to transition from fly-half, a role he undertook twice during Wales’ summer tour of Australia, to his preferred inside centre position, where he will form a new midfield partnership with Max Llewellyn. Gatland commented on Thomas: “I think he [Thomas] has been playing well.” He continued: “He’s got a good balance to his game. He’s not afraid to carry the ball to the line and the pleasing thing is he looks like he’s a player who has time on the ball, that helps his decisions.” Gatland also observed: “We know there’s not a huge amount of space in international rugby and he has the ability to shift the ball.” Gatland has selected only two replacement backs for the bench against Fiji, one of whom is Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow. Gatland expressed his expectations, saying: “Hopefully Gareth goes out and gives a good performance but Sam has been training exceptionally well and starting to develop a good understanding of the game.” He added: “We feel confident Gareth can get through the game but also we’ve got someone who can come on and hopefully add something to the performance.” Gatland concluded: “Sam has looked sharp, so we are pleased with those two at the moment.”