Gareth Anscombe: Wales fly-half to leave Cardiff Blues for Ospreys
- Published
Gareth Anscombe joined Cardiff Blues from Super Rugby side the Chiefs in 2014
Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe will leave Cardiff Blues at the end of the season to join regional rivals Ospreys.
The Blues had offered a new contract to the 27-year-old, who joined in 2014.
Anscombe was Wales' first-choice 10 as they won the 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam but his regional future had been a source of speculation during a period of uncertainty in Welsh domestic rugby.
He said: "I'm delighted to have secured my future to play professional rugby in Wales and to be joining the Ospreys."
Anscombe added: "I am very happy to finally be able to put pen to paper during what's been an unsettling time and commit to staying in Wales.
"I know a lot of the boys from my time with the Wales team and they can't speak highly enough of the spirit and ambition within the region which really excites me.
"I've been impressed with the vision and the long-term goals of the coaches and region as a whole and I would like to thank them for supporting my dream to continue playing pro rugby in Wales and, if I am playing well enough, to play for my country."
Anscombe has been an influential player for the Blues, scoring 597 points in 76 appearances and helping them win the European Challenge Cup last season.
He has always signed national dual contracts with Blues and Welsh Rugby Union since arriving from New Zealand in 2014.
But Welsh rugby has introduced a new player banding pay system to replace NDCs with the wages and categories set by the new Professional Rugby Board (PRB).
Anscombe appealed against his pay banding verdict but that was rejected.
Following that news, Blues head coach John Mulvihill said they had given him a deadline of early this week to decide on his future.
Despite reported interest from English clubs, Anscombe had to stay within regional rugby if he wanted to play for Wales.
If he moved outside Wales Anscombe would be ineligible as he has not played in 60 Tests.
Blues and Ospreys face each other in the crucial final regular Pro14 match on Judgement Day at the Principality Stadium on 27 April.
The winner will achieve a Champions Cup play-off place with the game being played in mid-May - which means Anscombe could play a part in helping his current side beat his future employers in that match.