Scarlets sign Wales international fly-half Gareth Anscombe

The Scarlets are delighted to confirm the signing of Wales international fly-half Gareth Anscombe, who joins the club ahead of the 2026-27 season.

One of the most experienced and respected playmakers in the game, Anscombe brings exceptional game understanding, tactical acumen, proven leadership and a wealth of experience from both international and club rugby.

The 42-cap 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam winner, who was born in New Zealand, arrives in West Wales after a season in the Top 14 playing for Aviron Bayonnais. His previous clubs include Gloucester Rugby, Cardiff and Ospreys, having played Super Rugby for the Blues and Chiefs.

Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies believes the signing strengthens one of the most influential positions on the field while providing an invaluable opportunity to develop the next generation of Scarlets fly-halves.

He said: "Every recruitment decision starts with one simple question – does this make us better? And we believe Gareth unquestionably does.  

"Occupying such an influential position on the field, his ability to control games, make good decisions under pressure and lead a team in the game is invaluable. Gareth has consistently demonstrated those qualities throughout his club and international career.

"He's coming here hungry to compete. 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."

Davies explained that the recruitment was driven by the club's current squad and is excited about how Anscombe will work alongside Sam Costelow, Wales U20 talent Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Elis Price.

Davies added: "One of the most valuable things experienced players bring is the ability to transfer knowledge. Gareth has succeeded at the highest level of the game. He understands how to prepare, how to lead, how to manage pressure and how to win important matches."

"Having someone of Gareth's calibre working alongside Sam, Carwyn, Elis and the rest of our squad every day will accelerate learning and raise standards throughout the programme. Those conversations on the training field, in meetings and around the environment are incredibly powerful.”

Anscombe says the opportunity to join the Scarlets was one he immediately wanted to pursue.

"I'm genuinely excited to be joining the Scarlets at what I believe is an exciting time for the club. I have watched the recruitment and strengthening of the squad over recent months with interest and there’s a lot of ambition here at Parc y Scarlets and a great environment to work within.

"I still have a huge desire to compete and to contribute on the field and help the team win matches.

"Competition brings the best out of players and that's exactly what I want. Sam is an outstanding player, Elis and Carwyn are both very bright young 10s for the Scarlets now and in the future and I'm looking forward to working alongside them. My goal is to help push standards, share some of my experience and continue challenging myself.

"From speaking with the Scarlets coaching group, I was really impressed by the energy and focus here and where this club wants to go. There is a clear vision, there's an exciting group of players and I wanted to be part of that journey."

Anscombe joined his new team-mates for his first training session at Parc y Scarlets on Tuesday as preparations for the new BKT United Rugby Championship season continue.

Anscombe’s signing further bolsters the 2026-27 senior squad currently preparing for the start of the new campaign.

Fletcher Anderson, Josh Macleod, Henry Thomas, Gareth Davies, Dan Davis, Sam Lousi, Harri O’Connor, Jac Davies, Will Evans, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Gabe Hawley have all signed new deals, while new recruits include prop Corey Domachowski, second rows Harvey Cuckson, Alex Groves and Tom Allen, hookers John McKee and George Roberts, full-back Isaac Murray-Macgregor and All Black Cullen Grace.

Y maswr rhyngwladol Gareth Anscombe yn ymuno â’r Scarlets

Mae’r Scarlets yn falch o gyhoeddi bod y maswr rhyngwladol Gareth Anscombe wedi ymuno â’r clwb ar gyfer tymor 2026/27.

Yn un o'r chwaraewyr mwyaf profiadol ac uchel ei barch yn y gêm, mae Anscombe yn dod â dealltwriaeth eithriadol o'r gêm, craffter tactegol, arweinyddiaeth a chyfoeth o brofiad ar lefel clwb a rygbi rhyngwladol.

Wedi ei eni yn Seland Newydd, roedd yn rhan o garfan y Gamp Lawn yn 2019, mae wedi ennill 42 cap, ac mae’n dod i orllewin Cymru ar ôl cyfnodau yn chwarae i Aviron Bayonnais yn y Top 14, Caerloyw, Caerdydd a’r Gweilch, ac amser yn chwarae Super Rugby i’r Blues a’r Chiefs.

Mae Cyfarwyddwr Rygbi'r Scarlets, Nigel Davies, yn credu bod arwyddo Anscombe yn cryfhau un o'r safleoedd mwyaf dylanwadol ar y cae wrth ddarparu cyfle amhrisiadwy i ddatblygu'r genhedlaeth nesaf o hanwyr y Scarlets.

Dywedodd: “Mae pob penderfyniad recriwtio yn dechrau gydag un cwestiwn syml - ydy hyn yn mynd i’n gwneud ni’n well? Ac ry’n ni o’r farn bod Gareth yn ddi-gwestiwn yn gwneud hynny.

“Mae ei allu i reoli gemau, gwneud penderfyniadau o dan bwysau ac arwain tîm mewn gêm yn amrishiadwy. Mae Gareth wedi profi’r safonau yma trwy gydol ei yrfa clwb a rhyngwladol.

“Mae e’n dod yma yn barod i gystadlu. Mae e’n ymuno â’r Scarlets ar gyfer y crys ac am ei fod e o’r farn ei fod yn credu ei fod yn gallu gwneud cyfraniad i’r tîm - a dyna’r union feddylfryd sydd angen yn yr amgylchedd.”

Esboniodd Davies fod y recriwtio wedi ddylanwadu gan garfan bresennol y clwb ac mae'n gyffrous am sut y bydd Anscombe yn gweithio ochr yn ochr â Sam Costelow, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones ac Elis Price (*wedi ei anafu ar hyn o bryd).

Ychwanegodd Davies: "Un o'r pethau mwyaf gwerthfawr y mae chwaraewyr profiadol yn eu cynnig yw'r gallu i drosglwyddo gwybodaeth. Mae Gareth wedi llwyddo ar y lefel uchaf yn y gêm. Mae'n deall sut i baratoi, sut i arwain, sut i reoli pwysau a sut i ennill gemau pwysig."

"Bydd cael rhywun o safon Gareth yn gweithio ochr yn ochr â Sam, Carwyn, Elis a gweddill ein carfan bob dydd yn fuddiol ac yn codi safonau drwy gydol y rhaglen. Mae'r sgyrsiau hynny ar y maes hyfforddi, mewn cyfarfodydd ac o amgylch yr amgylchedd yn hynod bwerus.”

Dywed Anscombe bod cael y cyfle i ymuno â'r Scarlets yn un yr oedd am ei ddilyn ar unwaith.

"Rwy'n wirioneddol gyffrous i ymuno â'r Scarlets yn ystod cyfnod cyffrous i'r clwb. Rwyf wedi gwylio recriwtio a chryfhau'r garfan dros y misoedd diwethaf gyda diddordeb ac mae llawer o uchelgais yma ym Mharc y Scarlets ac amgylchedd gwych i weithio ynddo.

"Mae gen i awydd enfawr o hyd i gystadlu ac i gyfrannu ar y cae a helpu'r tîm i ennill gemau.

"Mae cystadleuaeth yn dod â'r gorau allan o chwaraewyr a dyna'n union rwyf eisiau. Mae Sam yn chwaraewr rhagorol, mae Elis a Carwyn ill dau yn faswyr ifanc disglair iawn i'r Scarlets nawr ac yn y dyfodol ac rwy'n edrych ymlaen at weithio ochr yn ochr â nhw. Fy nod yw helpu i wthio safonau, rhannu rhywfaint o fy mhrofiad a pharhau i herio fy hun."

"O siarad â grŵp hyfforddi'r Scarlets, cefais fy mhlesio’n fawr gan yr egni a'r ffocws yma a ble mae'r clwb hwn eisiau mynd. Mae gweledigaeth glir, mae grŵp cyffrous o chwaraewyr ac roeddwn i eisiau bod yn rhan o'r daith honno."

Ymunodd Anscombe â'i gyd-chwaraewyr newydd ar gyfer ei sesiwn hyfforddi gyntaf heddiw ym Mharc y Scarlets (dydd Mawrth 28 Gorffennaf) wrth i baratoadau ar gyfer tymor newydd Pencampwriaeth Rygbi Unedig BKT barhau.

Mae llofnod Anscombe yn cryfhau’r garfan ymhellach sy'n paratoi ar gyfer dechrau'r ymgyrch newydd ar hyn o bryd.

Mae Fletcher Anderson, Josh Macleod, Henry Thomas, Gareth Davies, Dan Davis, Sam Lousi, Harri O’Connor, Jac Davies, Will Evans, Carwyn Leggatt-Jones a Gabe Hawley i gyd wedi llofnodi cytundebau newydd, tra bod y prop Corey Domachowski, yr ail reng Harvey Cuckson, Alex Groves a Tom Allen, y bachwyr John McKee a George Roberts, y cefnwr Isaac Murray-Macgregor a’r reng ôl Cullen Grace i gyd yn ymuno â’r clwb.

Mae’r Scarlets yn agor eu hymgyrch URC gyda derbi Cymreig yn erbyn cyn-glwb Anscombe, Caerdydd, ddydd Sadwrn Medi 26 (cic gyntaf 7.45pm). Gellir prynu tocynnau ar gyfer y gêm hon YMA ynghyd â thocynnau tymor ar gyfer 2026-27.