Wales duo 'excited to link up again' at Gloucester

Tomos Williams (left) and Gareth Anscombe are friends off the field after playing together for Cardiff and Wales

It was almost 10 years ago that scrum-half Tomos Williams and fly-half Gareth Anscombe first teamed up together on a rugby field.

The duo played and trained at Cardiff together for five seasons and have appeared at a number of international tournaments for Wales, forging an on-field partnership that has spilled into a friendship off the field.

This summer they have reunited at Gloucester for their Premiership debuts, in a move the Cherry and Whites hope will invigorate the club's attack and bring world-class experience to their playmaker roles.

"We’ve spent quite a bit of time off the field together," Anscombe told BBC Points West.

"We were room-mates during the World Cup, we’re usually roomies when we go away. It’s nice when you build relationships over the years and you get to know each other pretty well.

"I like to think we can bring some of that experiences to the 'Prem' this year with Gloucester."

Few partnerships in rugby are as important as that between a number nine and 10 and Williams agrees the fact the pair know each other so well only benefits them when they're playing.

"It’s really enjoyable playing with one of your mates, I think you’ve got a bit more of a connection the longer you know someone," he said.

"Hopefully that’s going to transpire onto the pitch this season."

Williams was the first to agree terms to move to Gloucester, with his signing announced last January.

The move brought to an end a decade at Cardiff that saw the 29-year-old surpass 140 appearances, following one of his best campaigns for the club in 2023-24. He picked up his 58th cap for Wales this summer on the tour to Australia.

"I wanted to play in the Premiership, I wanted to give that challenge a go, I’ve heard a lot of good things," Williams said.

"When I spoke to Skivs [George Skivington, Gloucester's director of rugby] and a couple of staff I was really impressed by them, took a wander round the pace and the facilities are great.

"Put that on top of the crowd they get, the Shed, whenever I’ve watched Gloucester it seems like a real good atmosphere."

New Zealand-born Anscombe, 33, followed shortly after, although his transfer came during an injury-disrupted season that means he has not played since the World Cup last October.

He left Ospreys at the end of 2022-23 and signed for Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath in Japan but saw his registration cancelled after he picked up a groin injury at the tournament in France.

Instead, Anscombe found himself in "no-man's land" looking for other opportunities.

"I spoke to Tommy during the Six Nations when we started having informal chats," said Anscombe, who has 37 Wales caps.

"We were quite excited to link back up again. Having previous experience of playing with mates before helps, particularly in our partnership as a nine and 10. We’ve been fairly familiar with each other’s games."

Anscombe and Williams last played together at the 2023 World Cup for Wales

The pair have a history with Gloucester, even if it is one the Cherry and Whites would rather not dwell on for too long.

Anscombe chipped the ball forward for Williams to collect and score a crucial try during Cardiff's narrow comeback victory over Gloucester to claim the European Challenge Cup in 2018.

"Off the pitch he [Anscombe] likes to remind me how many tries he’s set up for me - especially that one in Bilbao. I won't speak too much about that..." Williams joked.

"I think we bounce off each other, we make each other look as good as we can."

"I’m probably the more serious of the two of us," Anscombe replied. "Tommy’s more the free spirit who goes wandering around and I’m just trying to pull him into line every now and then."

As room-mates when away with club or country, they have found a perfect harmony.

"I give him the choice of bed and then he makes me cups of tea," Williams said.

"I’ve had to grow his tea-making a bit. He wasn’t great when he first came over, I think it was a bit of the Kiwi in him maybe. He didn’t brew the tea for long enough and I’m big on my tea.

"Once we ironed that out he’s pretty good."

'Need to give fans something to get behind'

After another disappointing Premiership campaign where Gloucester finished ninth, Williams and Anscombe know a crucial season lies ahead for the club.

"It’s one of our challenges to make sure we give [fans] something they can get behind," Anscombe said.

"I think Skivs has come out this season and talked about playing a brand and style that we’re proud of, that entertains the fans. Don’t get us wrong, we need to win but we want to stick to our guns with a certain style and back ourselves."

They start their league campaign against an in-transition Saracens side at home on Saturday evening. Beyond that, there are West Country derbies against Bristol (away) and Bath (at home) either side of a trip to face Sale in Manchester.

"If we can get a fast start again Sarries, that’ll leave us in good stead for the next couple of games," Williams said.

"The club had a pretty tough season last year but I think everyone's addressed that and we're looking forward to targeting this season," Anscombe added.

"We know once the season starts this weekend with a bit of pressure, things will change."