Anscombe included in Wales’ Six Nations squad

Gareth Anscombe has been named in Wales’ squad by Warren Gatland ahead of the Sxi Nations.
The former New Zealand U20s fly-half, who moved to Cardiff Blues this season in the hope of switching allegiances, is one of four uncapped players in the 34-man squad with Scarlets prop Rob Evans, Cardiff Blues Kristian Dacey and Newport Gwent Dragon Tyler Morgan also in line for their Test debut in the next two months.
Scott Andrews and Gareth Davies are recalled and join 28 players who were involved in the autumn internationals.
In the front row, former Wales U20 prop Evans, who has impressed in his 17 outings for the Scarlets this season, joins the experienced Gethin Jenkins and Paul James. Hookers Richard Hibbard, Scott Baldwin and uncapped Dacey join Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee and Andrews completing the front-row contingent.
The second rows remain unchanged from the autumn campaign with Alun Wyn Jones, Jake Ball, Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris all named.
Gatland’s back-row options include Ospreys trio Dan Lydiate, James King and Justin Tipuric along with captain Sam Warburton and Newport Gwent Dragons’ Taulupe Faletau.
Gareth Davies, who earned his first cap against South Africa last summer, returns from injury to be included along with Mike Phillips and Rhys Webb.
Dan Biggar and Rhys Priestland are joined by Anscombe who is named in a Wales squad for the first time.
Wales’ midfield options include British and Irish Lions duo Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies along with Scott Williams, Cory Allen and Morgan.
Morgan, who recently signed a National Dual Contract, has also been named in the Wales U20 squad and he will be released from the senior camp to link up with the age-group side during the campaign.
Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, George North, Alex Cuthbert and Hallam Amos are named as the back-three options.
Wales kick off the tournament with a Friday night fixture against England at the Millennium Stadium and Gatland is looking forward to linking up with the squad next week.
“It’s great to be able to name such an experienced squad that also boasts some exciting young talent,” said Gatland.
“The four uncapped players have all been going well for their respective regions and it will be good to see them in this environment and we hope they take the opportunity. They come into a squad packed with experience and that experience will be important to us over the next eight weeks and the year as a whole.
“We all know how tough the Six Nations is and we kick the tournament off with a huge game against England and that is something you have to be excited about and look forward to.
“We were pleased on the whole with the autumn campaign and this is another opportunity for us as we look ahead to a very big year in the rugby calendar.”
Wales squad:
Forwards: Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Paul James (Bath), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), James King (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, Capt), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Backs: Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Cory Allen (Cardiff Blues), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Jonathan Davies (Clermont Auvergne), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Hallam Amos (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon).