Gatland’s Kiwi setback for Six Nations

Returning Wales coach Warren Gatland has walked straight into an unwanted injury problem ahead of the Six Nations with luckless Kiwi playmaker Gareth Anscombe struggling with a significant shoulder injury.

Gatland has come back to take the coaching reins from fellow New Zealander Wayne Pivac who was sacked as Wales’ form continued to dip alarmingly this year, highlighted by losses to Italy and Georgia. Anscombe was Gatland’s first-choice No 10 in the 2019 Grand Slam campaign before he suffered a horror knee injury that sidelined him for more than two years.

Gatland felt the absence of Anscombe hindered their 2019 World Cup campaign in Japan. The master coach singled out Anscombe, the former Blues and Chiefs player, for his good form in

Wales’ recent horror autumn test series, hinting he saw a major role for him in the hoped-for revival of the Red Dragons.

But now it seems Gatland will have to do without Anscombe, 31, once again. He hurt his shoulder in the recent loss to the Wallabies and his Ospreys club has painted a gloomy scenario.

‘‘Gareth Anscombe is a longterm injury,’’ said Ospreys head coach Toby Booth told Wales Online, likening it to the injury that kept their Wales flanker Justin Tipuric out of action for more than a year.

Wales open their Six Nations campaign with a home test against world No 1 Ireland on February 5.

Booth can’t see Anscombe making that date. ‘‘It’s going to be unlikely. But we want to get him back playing as soon as we can.’’