Gareth Anscombe says competition will bring the best out of Scarlets

By Sam Jackson

Scarlets have pulled off a major coup by tempting Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe back to Wales for the 2026-27 season.

The 35-year-old former Cardiff, Ospreys and Gloucester playmaker has joined the Llanelli side after an injury-hit campaign in France with Bayonne.

The 42-cap Anscombe, who can also play fullback, will provide competition for current Wales No.10 Sam Costelow and top class cover if he is injured.

Wales centre Joe Hawkins had to deputise at fly-half – starting there 11 times last season – and Wales Under-20s star Carwyn Leggatt-Jones featured alongside his studies at Llandovery College.

Hungry

“He’s coming here hungry to compete,” said director of rugby Nigel Davies. “He’s joining Scarlets to challenge for the jersey and because he believes he can make a real contribution to this team – and that’s exactly the type of mentality we want within our environment.”

Scarlets have not revealed the length of Anscombe’s deal.

Anscombe was limited to just five appearances for the Top 14 club because of injury but believes he can make an impact in west Wales.

“I still have a huge desire to compete and to contribute on the field and help the team win matches,” he said.

“Competition brings the best out of players and that’s exactly what I want.

“My goal is to help push standards, share some of my experience and continue challenging myself.”

Old head: Gareth Anscombe will be playing for Scarlets next season.
PICTURE: Getty Images

Bolstered

New Zealand-born Anscombe moved to Wales in 2014 and joined Cardiff.

He made his Wales debut – qualifying through his Welsh mother – a year later and won the last of his 42 caps against England in the 2025 Six Nations.

Anscombe moved to Ospreys in 2019 and spent four seasons with the club before moving to Gloucester and then Bayonne.

Scarlets finished 14th in the URC last season, above just Dragons and Zebre.

They have bolstered their squad for the coming campaign with Wales prop Corey Domachowski, one-cap New Zealand forward Cullen Grace, locks Harvey Cuckson, Alex Groves and Tom Allen, hookers John McKee and George Roberts and full-back Isaac Murray-Macgregor.

There has been a further boost with experienced dual-international tight-head Henry Thomas extending his stay.

The 34-year-old Thomas, below, has been a key part of the Scarlets pack since his arrival in 2024, playing 41 matches across two seasons.

A renowned scrummager at Test level, Thomas was a member of Wales’ World Cup squad three years ago and has been capped seven times for his country, most recently during the 2025 Six Nations.

He had previously represented England seven times.

Experience

Having started his professional career at Sale, then Bath – where he played for seven years – the stalwart joined the Scarlets following spells playing in the French Top 14 with Castres and Montpellier.

Scarlets boss Davies added: “When you’re building a squad, there are certain positions where experience is invaluable and tight-head prop is certainly one of them.

“People often focus on age. We focus on contribution. Henry continues to contribute at a very high level, he remains fiercely competitive, prepares exceptionally well and drives standards every day.

“He knows what it takes to prepare and perform consistently and he raises standards simply through the way he goes about his work.

“Those are the qualities we value and they’re the reasons we wanted him to remain part of this group.

“Henry is hugely respected by his fellow players, he challenges people within the rugby group, supports our younger players and brings a calmness that only comes from years of playing at the highest level.

“Those qualities are hugely important within any successful environment.”

Thomas said: “I’m delighted to extend my time with the Scarlets.

“I still feel I’ve got a lot to give and I’m excited for what’s ahead. I’ve loved my time here and genuinely feel we’re building something exciting.

“We’ve got a talented group with a really good mix of youth and experience.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute, helping the younger boys where I can and doing everything possible to help the team have a successful season.”

Scarlets open their URC campaign with a derby against Cardiff on Saturday September 26.