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Gareth Anscombe faces loyalty dilemma as Cardiff face Ospreys this weekend

Cardiff's Gareth Anscombe. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

New Ospreys import Gareth Anscombe has the full support of his current Cardiff head coach that he will maintain his professionalism as the two sides clash this weekend.

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Anscombe will line up for the Blues against Ospreys at Principality Stadium as part of Welsh Rugby’s Judgement Day in the Pro14, knowing that a win over his new side could cost them a spot in next season’s European Champions Cup.

The 27-year-old New Zealand-born pivot recently signed a big-money deal with the Swansea-based club after a five-year stint in the Welsh capital.

This weekend acts as the last round of the Pro14 regular season, and Ospreys currently sit in fourth spot in Conference A with 54 points, making them sixth in the league overall.

The top seven Pro14 sides will qualify for the next edition of the Champions Cup, but with conference rivals Cardiff, Italian club Benetton Treviso, Scottish side Edinburgh and Welsh outfit Scarlets all within four points of Ospreys, the race to fill the seven-team quota is still well and truly alive.

Just one point separates Cardiff and Ospreys, meaning everything will be on the line in their meeting this weekend, but Blues head coach John Mulvihill has the utmost confidence in trusting Anscombe’s integrity come Saturday.

“He is one of our best 23 players and he will be taking part,” Mulvihill told BBC Sport.

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“He is 100 percent professional.

“I think it was a pretty easy decision to make as a head coach, you want your best players playing. We have a few injuries in our backline, so it is pretty simple for me.

“He will finish off, the champion he has been for Cardiff Blues for the last number of seasons, I am sure he will want to finish off well and be remembered as that type of player for us.”

Mulvihill echoed his own sentiments when was queried on the issue again by Wales Online.

“If there’s a 50/50 ball or a goal to be kicked, he’s the man to do it. It may be the Gareth Anscombe show,” he said.

“Gareth will want to leave Cardiff Blues on a high and I have 100 percent confidence in him.”

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Ospreys head coach Allan Clarke also told BBC Sport that he believed Anscombe would provide a strong challenge for his future teammates, and had no concerns regarding the possibility of the 26-test first-five deliberately underperforming.

“He is a quality player and person and has a lot integrity and I have no doubt he will come out and deliver his best,” he said.

“I am absolutely delighted he has decided to come to us.”

As part of the Judgement Day double-header, Scarlets and Dragons will face off earlier in the day in another all-Welsh encounter.

Pro14 race for the Champions Cup:

Conference A:

1 – Glasgow (76pts)

2 – Munster (73pts)

3 – Connacht (61pts)

4 – Ospreys (54pts)*

5 – Cardiff (53pts)*

6 – Cheetahs (41pts)

7 – Zebre (19pts)

Conference B:

1 – Leinster (75pts)

2 – Ulster (59pts)

3 – Treviso (52pts)*

4 – Edinburgh (51pts)*

5 – Scarlets (50pts)*

6 – Kings (22pts)

7 – Dragons (21pts)

(* = still eligible for top seven spot but not yet secured)

Final round fixtures:

Dragons v Scarlets @ Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Cheetahs v Kings @ Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein

Zebre v Treviso @ Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma

Cardiff v Ospreys @ Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Ulster v Leinster @ Kingspan Stadium, Belfast

Glasgow v Edinburgh @ Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

Munster v Connacht @ Thomond Park, Limerick

In other news:

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Hellhound 45 minutes ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.

Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.

Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.

They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.

That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.

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