Gareth Anscombe: Wales fly-half ruled out of Rugby World Cup with ACL injury

Anscombe’s absence will see Dan Biggar step up as Warren Gatland’s first-choice fly-half

Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup after sustaining an ACL injury in Sunday’s 33-19 defeat by England.

Anscombe, 28, was helped off late in the first half of the Twickenham encounter after initially attempting to play on.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland said that the medical advice during the match was to allow Anscombe the chance to overcome the injury.

“The message from the medics was just to see how it goes. He didn’t do any further damage to it. He’s already done that,” Gatland said.

“Sometimes players like to run off a knock – he wasn’t able to do that.”

A statement by Welsh Rugby Union read: “His prognosis and management with be determined following further specialist reviews.

“The Wales squad and management would like to wish Gareth the very best with his recovery.”

Dan Biggar, who came off the bench to replace Anscombe, is now set to become Gatland’s first-choice No 10 for the tournament in Japan, with Jarrod Evans and Rhys Patchell offering back-up.

Wales are also awaiting the results of a scan on scrum-half Tomos Williams, who pulled out of the game on Friday with a shoulder injury.