Barry John calls on Welsh fringe players to prove their worth in warm-up games

Former Welsh fly-half Barry John has called on the fringe players in Warren Gatland's squad to "step up" or risk leaving, singling out Gareth Anscombe and Ross Moriarty.

Wales face Ireland on August 8 in a Rugby World Cup warm up game and Gatland has already inferred that he will use players on the edge of the squad to give themselves an opportunity to impress him.

Writing in his Wales Online column, John said "Probably the one untried Test player who has impressed me most has been Ross Moriarty, the young Gloucester back row who of course has well known family connections in the Welsh game.

"He knew when to use his physicality but he also had a deftness of touch. He looked a class act.

"To my mind, there's no doubt Anscombe has something. He loves taking the game to the opposition and he does pose problems. Anscombe has to be backed, we've gone out on a limb to bring him here and he does have a range of skills and has shown he can mix it up with stuff like grubber kicks and delayed popped passes in midfield."

Back Anscombe is yet to make his Test debut after a controversial switch of allegiances from New Zealand to Wales. Gloucester flanker Moriarty is also waiting for his first cap, having previously represented England at Under-20 level.