Wales fly-half Anscombe ruled out of Rugby World Cup

Wales will be without key man Gareth Anscombe for the Rugby World Cup after the fly-half was ruled out with a knee injury.

Head coach Warren Gatland confirmed Anscombe would undergo a scan after the 28-year-old went off during the first half of the 33-19 defeat to England at Twickenham on Sunday.

Anscombe’s chances of being involved for the tournament in Japan are now over, however, after it was confirmed the New Zealand-born player had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

No timetable has been set for his return, but the update leaves Dan Biggar, Jarrod Evans and Rhys Patchell as the three fly-halves remaining in a 40-man squad that will need to be trimmed down to 31 by September 8.

“Gareth Anscombe is out of Rugby World Cup contention after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the match against England,” read a statement from the Welsh Rugby Union.

“His prognosis and management with be determined following further specialist reviews.”

16 – Since the start of 2018 only Elliot Dee (17) has played as many games for @WelshRugbyUnion as Gareth Anscombe (16). Pivot. pic.twitter.com/sY8SF2VxFl

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) August 12, 2019

Anscombe’s superb performances in Wales’ triumphant Six Nations campaign had established himself as first choice for the World Cup.

The loss of a first-team regular is a further setback for Gatland, particularly as British and Irish Lions back-rower Taulupe Faletau was already out of contention with a collarbone issue.

Wales start their Pool D campaign against Georgia on September 23, with Fiji, Uruguay and 2015 finalists Australia also in the same group.

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