Anscombe to leave Cardiff Blues and join Ospreys

Gareth Anscombe will leave Cardiff Blues at the end of the season to join their Guinness PRO14 rivals Ospreys.

The Wales fly-half, 27, had been offered a new contract by Blues and also been linked with English clubs Harlequins, Bath and Bristol.

"I'm delighted to have secured my future to play professional rugby in Wales and to be joining the Ospreys. I am very happy to finally be able to put pen to paper during what's been an unsettling time and commit to staying in Wales," Anscombe told Ospreys' official website.

Anscombe's contract with Blues expires in the summer, while his decision to join Welsh regional rivals Ospreys means he will still be eligible to represent Wales.

He signed a national dual contract with the Welsh Rugby Union when he joined Blues from New Zealand side Waikato Chiefs in 2014.

NDCs have been replaced with a new player banding pay system by the WRU, with wages and categories set by the new Professional Rugby Board and Anscombe's appeal against his pay banding had been rejected.

Anscombe, Wales' first-choice fly-half during their 2019 Six Nations Grand Slam, would not have been eligible to play for Wales had he moved out of the principality as he has not played in 60 Tests.