Costelow recovery boosts Wales for Aviva Test
WALES have received a boost ahead of their Six Nations clash against title favourites Ireland with fly-half Sam Costelow back in contention. The Scarlets number 10 was ruled out of Wales’ clash with England due to a neck problem. He was hurt during the first half of the 27-26 defeat against Scotland, going off before the interval and being replaced by Ioan Lloyd. Lloyd wore Wales’ number 10 shirt at Twickenham, but Costelow is now on course to increase resources in that position and be available to face Ireland on Saturday week. ‘He (Costelow) is looking good and trained this morning,’ Wales head of physical performance Huw Bennett said. But while Costelow is up and running again, Bath prop Archie Griffin has been released from the Welsh squad. Griffin suffered a knee injury during his Test debut against England.
The Welsh Rugby Union said that the 22-year-old will continue his rehabilitation at Bath and that a squad replacement would be confirmed in due course. Keiron Assiratti, Leon Brown and Dillon Lewis are the remaining squad tightheads, although Brown picked up a shoulder knock during the Six Nations opener against Scotland and was not involved at Twickenham. Back Tom Rogers, meanwhile, will remain with his regional team the Scarlets following a chest injury sustained during their European Challenge Cup victory over Clermont Auvergne on January 13. Wales, beaten narrowly by Scotland and England, are now preparing to face an Ireland team that has posted bonus-point victories over France and Italy in pursuit of successive Six Nations titles and Grand Slams. And Wales have it all to do, having not won a Six Nations game in Dublin since 2012, losing four times and drawing once.
Former Wales hooker Bennett added: ‘Ireland are well up there at the minute in the way they are playing. ‘They have got an established group physically and they haven’t won 19 games out of 20 for no reason. ‘We know the challenge that is coming up for us but every game for this group has been a challenge and a chance to prove themselves and it will be another opportunity. ‘You have got to go out there and be ruthless.’