Gareth Anscombe’s future at the Ospreys looks hugely uncertain as the Wales international heads for the end of his contract with the region.
Just days after the fly-half became entangled in a social media debate over his contractual arrangements, there remains a bigger doubt than ever over whether the 31-year-old will be playing his rugby next term.
The Ospreys say they want to keep the 35-cap player whose nerveless conversion gave Wales their first-ever win in South Africa over the Springboks last summer.
But they are having such difficulty making the figures add up it’s looking increasingly likely Anscombe could depart unless a some kind of deal can be belatedly reached.
Asked if he hoped Anscombe would be playing for the Ospreys next season, head coach Toby Booth said: “I’d love him to be, for sure; I absolutely would do. He’s back in training at the moment, which is great. He’s a quality player and as the numbers go down, you have to try to maintain your quality.
“It comes down to what you can fit and what people are prepared to pay them for.
“That’s a balancing act.
“Because I’m sure you’re aware, everyone’s looking around this mid-30s squad number, which in my opinion is way too short to play a competitive season, especially if you contribute a load of internationals.
“But if that’s what we’ve got, that’s what we have got, and there’s only so much money to go around and you’ve got historical contracts in that as well, which were agreed and signed a long time before this austerity stuff kicked in.
“So that’s why it’s so difficult. "
When he plays for both the Ospreys and for Wales Anscombe offers a different dimension, but injuries have hampered him again this season, limiting only two outings for the region. His latest bump came on Test duty against Australia in the autumn. Anscombe had helped inspire Wales to some of their best rugby of the Wayne Pivac era, only to suffer a shoulder injury that forced him off. After he left proceedings, Wales' performance deteriorated markedly. He hasn't played since.
But his quality isn't in doubt.
His situation is complicated, with the Ospreys focusing heavily on nailing down young talent amid the cutbacks that are taking place across the board in Welsh professional rugby.
“If I’m honest, there are a number of signings that we’ve made already, particularly in that long-term bracket — that early 20s-type bracket — and we’ve definitely prioritised a little bit there and the DNA of our club,” said Booth.
“The unfortunate thing is injuries start to affect people long-term.
“You have to look at things like injury profiles, availabilities, money that they demand as the player and calibre of player.
“I’m not begrudging people to get the money they deserve, because it’s a very short career. In fact, I encourage it. It is what it is. But we have to make sure we make the pieces of the jigsaw fit.”
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