Rugby: Anscombe hopeful of Wales call-up

Gareth Anscombe. Photo / Getty Images

Warren Gatland names his Wales Six Nations squad on Wednesday and Gareth Anscombe may find his name called out.

The former Auckland, Blues and Chiefs first five did his cause no harm last weekend with seven goals in his Cardiff Blues outfit's 104-12 crushing of Rovigo in the European Challenge Cup.

Heading into this weekend's crucial final round of pool games, only three sides are assured of playoffs qualification, while in the top tier European Champions Cup, only Toulon are cemented in a quarter-final.

The glamour French club hammered Ulster 60-22, with Chris Masoe at No 8 and former Blues wings Rudi Wulf and David Smith off the bench. Ali Williams was originally listed to play but did not suit up, while Carl Hayman was an unused sub. Jared Payne scored a try for Ulster.

Former Takapuna club lock Hugh Chalmers, now a loose forward, featured in Bordeaux-Begles' 26-3 victory over London Welsh, who were minus Piri Weepu. Bordeaux-Begles will soon have the services of Peter Saili, whose New Zealand and Blues contracts were terminated on Friday.

Former Highlanders and Otahuhu prop Halani Aulika started at tighthead in London Irish's 43-41 win over Grenoble, as did John Afoa in Gloucester's 33-3 shutout of Oyonnax. Former Manu Samoa captain Paul Williams continued on the comeback trail from injury in Stade Francais' 47-12 defeat of Bucharest.

Former New Zealand Maori halfback Ruki Tipuna, former Manu Samoa lock/No 8 Kane Thompson and former North Harbour loose forward Richard Mayhew, who copped a yellow card, were all on the receiving end of Newcastle's 40-29 loss to the Newport-Gwent Dragons.

Two goals to former Blues utility Lachie Munro helped guide Lyon to a narrow 21-19 win over Edinburgh, for whom Manawatu Turbos No 10 Jade Te Rure appeared off the bench.

In the Champions Cup, Leinster crushed Castres 50-8, with former Taranaki and Ireland loosehead prop Michael Bent in the ranks, while Jimmy Gopperth was at first-five.

Despite a yellow card to former Auckland loosie Nathan Hughes, Wasps, where Blues wing Frank Halai is heading post-Super Rugby, beat Harlequins 23-3. There was a similar scenario in Northampton's 20-9 result over Ospreys, where centre George Pisi was binned.