IN MY VIEW

three years of battling injuries, Gareth Anscombe is finally ready to make his mark with Wales this summer.

He came to Wales as the big outsidehalf big hope, but an ankle operation and a recurring groin problem has hampered his bid to become a regular in Warren Gatland’s team.

However, a visit to a leading specialist in Ireland last autumn found a cure and he has been in prime form for Cardiff Blues as they ran their way to 11 victories in their final 13 European and Guinness PRO14 fixtures of the campaign.

It culminated with them lifting the Challenge Cup in spectacular style with Anscombe being the ring-master in the great escape as they overturned a 14-point deficit to pip Gloucester by a point.

Dan Biggar has been Gatland and his backs guru Rob Howley’s first-choice No.10 since ousting Rhys Priestland just as Anscombe was arriving in Wales.

But Biggar misses next month’s assignments with South Africa and Argentina after being rested by the management, opening the door for a showdown between Anscombe and Rhys Patchell for the No.10 jersey.

And the winner of their duel will be aiming to convince Gatland and Howley they should be Wales’ play-maker ahead of next year’s World Cup in Japan.

Anscombe, 27 last week, has the pedigree, being a Super Rugby champions with the Chiefs and guiding New Zea- land to Under-20 World Cup in 2011.

Wales face South Africa on neutral territory in United States capital Washington on June 2 before back-to-back clashes with Argentina in South America.

Anscombe or Patchell will be charged with improving Wales’ try count with just 20 scored in 11 Tests during the whole of 2017 with only 12 coming during Biggar’s eight starts.

Only Italy and France of the Six Nations and southern hemisphere Rugby Championship countries had a worse record while, in contrast, Ireland piled up 45 and Scotland 41.

Things improved during this season’s European title race with runnersup Wales having the third best return, with 13 to fifth-placed England’s 14 and Grand Slam kings Ireland’s 20.

However, look more closely at Wales’ scores to find who was at outside-half when the whitewash was crossed and it becomes more interesting.

Biggar, who missed the start of the tournament through a shoulder injury, and Patchell both wore 10 twice with Anscombe starting against Italy.

Wales scored three tries with Biggar on the pitch against Ireland and France with five coming on Patchell’s watch and five on that of Anscombe.

Anscombe came on for Patchell in the demolition of Scotland, moved to outside-half from full-back to give England huge problems in a 12-6 loss with his acceleration, attacking verve, skill and pace, replaced Biggar in Ireland to create a score and engineered three against Italy.

Although Anscombe has largely operated as an emergency full-back for the Blues in recent months with promAFTER