Gloucester Rugby have confirmed that Wales international Gareth Anscombe will bid farewell to Kingsholm at the end of the season as he prepares for a new chapter with French outfit Bayonne.
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The 33-year-old playmaker arrived in the West Country ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and has made 14 appearances in Cherry & White colours.
While his stay has been short, Anscombe’s experience and leadership have been invaluable both on and off the field.
The club released a statement saying: “We’d like to thank Gareth for his time at Gloucester Rugby. When the time comes, he’ll leave with our very best wishes for him and his family as they embark on their French adventure.”
Anscombe rejected an approach from Leicester Tigers prior to signing with the Top 14 side.
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Current Injured Lions Players:
Here’s the latest on eight players whose Lions dreams are hanging by a thread.
Caelan Doris – Captain in Crisis?
Ireland skipper Caelan Doris is a huge injury doubt for the Lions tour after Leinster confirmed the back-rower needs a “procedure” on a shoulder issue.
The 27-year-old, tipped by many as a potential Lions captain, was forced off during Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints at Croke Park.
Leinster haven’t confirmed the severity yet, but head coach Jacques Nienaber didn’t sugarcoat it.
“My gut says it’s serious,” he admitted. “Caelan’s not someone who comes off easily – so when I saw him go down, I feared the worst.”
With Farrell set to name his squad in just days, Doris is now in a race against time.
Duhan van der Merwe – Running Out of Time?
Scotland’s record-breaking winger Duhan van der Merwe is battling an ankle injury – and his Lions chances are fading fast.
The 29-year-old, who has , picked up the injury early in Edinburgh’s recent URC win over the Dragons. The club says he’s
“expected to return during May”, but that might be too late.
With James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Tommy Freeman, and Darcy Graham all in electric form, Van der Merwe’s spot is under serious threat.
Sione Tuipulotu – A Quick Healer or Out of Time?
Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu hasn’t played since January due to a freak pectoral injury – and his Lions hopes are hanging by a thread.
Glasgow boss Franco Smith remains optimistic. “He’ll be back, I’ve got no doubt about that,” he said.
But with Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, and even Scotland teammate Tom Jordan making strong cases, Tuipulotu might have left it too late.
George Furbank – Still in the Mix?
England full-back George Furbank is another big name under an injury cloud.
The Northampton star missed the Six Nations after breaking his arm in December but made a return last month. However, he’s struggling with a fresh issue and missed Saints’ Champions Cup semi-final win over Leinster.
He hasn’t been ruled out of the Lions squad yet, but time is running out.
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Zander & Matt Fagerson – Double Trouble for Scotland
Bad news for the Fagerson brothers.
Zander Fagerson is battling a calf injury suffered in training, just weeks after missing Glasgow’s Champions Cup hammering by Leinster due to concussion. Head coach Franco Smith says he’s out for the “foreseeable future”.
Meanwhile, Matt Fagerson is already ruled out for the season with an ankle injury. His Lions hopes? All but over.
Ollie Lawrence – Achilles Blow Ends Lions Dream
England centre Ollie Lawrence is definitely out.
The Bath powerhouse ruptured his Achilles against Italy in the Six Nations and faces 9-12 months on the sidelines.
He summed it up himself on social media: “Lost for words… That’s not how I imagined my season to end.”
With Lawrence out, the Lions’ midfield battle just got even more interesting, with Manu Tuilagi, Henry Slade, and Joe Marchant all in contention.
Can You Name Every British & Irish Lions Captain Since 2001?
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You have five minutes to recall the leaders who have represented the four nations on some of rugby's most historic tours.
From monumental victories to heart-stopping battles, these captains have etched their names into Lions folklore. Can you name them all before time runs out? Let’s find out—good luck!
