Fly-half Gareth Anscombe has returned to Wales after signing for Scarlets for the 2026-27 season.

The 35-year-old former Cardiff and Ospreys player has joined the Llanelli side after spending the last campaign in France with Bayonne.

Scarlets have brought in Anscombe, who can also play full-back, to provide competition for Wales playmaker Sam Costelow.

“He’s coming here hungry to compete,” said director of rugby Nigel Davies about the 42-times capped Anscombe.

“He’s joining Scarlets to challenge for the jersey and because he believes he can make a real contribution to this team – and that’s exactly the type of mentality we want within our environment.”

Scarlets have not revealed the length of Anscombe’s deal but he will provide an experienced option after the region’s struggles at 10 when Costelow was injured.

Wales centre Joe Hawkins had to deputise at fly-half – starting there 11 times last season – and Wales Under-20s international Carwyn Leggatt-Jones featured alongside his studies at Llandovery College.

Anscombe was limited to just five appearances for Bayonne in the Top 14 because of injury but believes he can make an impact in west Wales.

“I still have a huge desire to compete and to contribute on the field and help the team win matches,” he said.

“Competition brings the best out of players and that’s exactly what I want.

“My goal is to help push standards, share some of my experience and continue challenging myself.”

Anscombe started his career in his native New Zealand before moving to Cardiff in 2014.

He made his Wales debut – qualifying through his Welsh mother – a year later and won the last of his 42 caps against England in the 2025 Six Nations.

Anscombe moved to Ospreys in 2019 and spent four seasons with the club before moving to Gloucester and then Bayonne.

Scarlets finished 14th in the United Rugby Championship last season, above just Dragons and Zebre.

They have bolstered their squad for the coming campaign with Wales prop Corey Domachowski, once-capped New Zealand forward Cullen Grace, locks Harvey Cuckson, Alex Groves and Tom Allen, hookers John McKee and George Roberts and full-back Isaac Murray-Macgregor.