Former Wales & B&I Lions centre Jamie Roberts has lauded one of Welsh rugby’s newest regional stars.
A legend of Welsh rugby, Roberts heaped praise on Scarlets back-rower Fletcher Anderson, following another string of impressive performances in the URC.
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The 23-year-old New Zealander signed for the West Wales side earlier in the season and has made an impressive impact in the first 5 months of his tenure.
With 14 appearances since the autumn, Anderson has established himself as one of the most effective carriers in the league.
The stats back this up: he has made the third-most carries (166) this season and ranks high for metres gained (488), a notable achievement given that he missed the first four game weeks of the United Rugby Championship.
Whilst his side succumbed to a 36-19 defeat at the hands of Leinster over the weekend, Anderson stood out again.
The former Crusaders star delivered excellence again.
He made 27 carries and 62 metres, and finished the game as his side’s top tackler with 14.
This performance saw Roberts single him out for praise following the match.
“Fletcher Anderson is my favourite player,” he told S4C.
“Unfortunately, he cannot play for Wales yet, but what a performance.”
(Image: Huw Evans Agency)
Hope for Welsh Future
As Roberts speculated, Anderson’s impressive start to life in Welsh rugby has seen him emerge as a potential new target for the national team.
Head coach Steve Tandy is set to focus on building much-needed depth over the next few years.
The back-row forward would need to wait until 2030 to qualify for selection under residency rules before he could represent Wales.
That’s a significant long-term decision for Anderson, especially if his current form continues.
Performances like his are likely to draw attention from clubs across England, France, Japan, and his native New Zealand.
Still, if he is open to pulling on a Wales shirt in the future, there have been calls for the WRU to act early.
Anderson is just one of several players being monitored as potential additions.
Florida-born Ospreys playmaker Jack Walsh is expected to qualify through residency in time for next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Scarlets tighthead Archer Holz is another name attracting interest, as is Crusaders second row, Tahlor Cahill.
Exeter Chiefs back-rower Kane James, and Harlequins pair Jonny Green and Bryn Bradley have also been mentioned as possible options.
