Six Nations
Wales name Anscombe in Six Nations squad
ESPN Staff
January 20, 2015
Anscombe in action for Chiefs in his native New Zealand © Getty Images
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Wales have included New Zealand-born fly-half Gareth Anscombe in their squad for the Six Nations but Gloucester fly-half James Hook and Blues tighthead Adam Jones were omitted.

Anscombe, who joined Cardiff Blues from Chiefs in 2014 and whose mother was born in Wales, is one of four uncapped players in the squad, alongside prop Rob Evans, hooker Kristian Dacey and centre Tyler Morgan.

Experienced prop Jones had been tipped for a recall after some impressive recent showings but his place is taken by the recalled Scott Andrews, who has not started a game for Blues this season.

Hook was not expected to be called up due to Anscombe's arrival and impressive form in his nine outings for Blues. Leicester's in-form fly-half Owen Williams misses out for the same reasons.

Dacey makes the squad ahead of the likes of Dragons' Elliot Dee and Ospreys' Sam Parry after some dynamic performances for Blues. He'll act as back up to Richard Hibbard and Scott Baldwin in the absence of Ken Owens.

Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies, who made his debut on tour in South Africa last summer, is recalled after injury and will compete with Mike Phillips and Rhys Webb for the No.9 jersey.

In-form flanker Josh Navidi misses out as James King, Dan Lydiate, Taulupe Faletau, Justin Tipuric and captain Sam Warburton are selected as back-row options.

"It's great to be able to name such an experienced squad that also boasts some exciting young talent," said head coach Warren 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).

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