Time for Gatland to show faith in Costelow
WHEN Wales tour Australia this year, they will likely do so having been reinforced by a handful of quality players who were missing throughout the Six Nations.
While Warren Gatland will be pleased to welcome back the likes of Jac Morgan, Dewi Lake, Taine Plumtree and Christ Tshiunza, it does mean he will be forced into making some tough calls when it comes to selection.
Choosing his Rugby World Cup skipper Morgan over Tommy Reffell, who was arguably the standout openside in the Six Nations despite Wales finishing with the Wooden Spoon, could be the toughest.
But should Gareth Anscombe (circled, right) have recovered from injury this summer, that could also throw up a selection headache.
Gatland is a huge fan of Anscombe, but the 32-year-old hasn’t taken the field since sustaining a groin injury during the World Cup, which led to his Japanese club Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath cancelling his registration.
Anscombe has signed for Gloucester for the 2024-25 season and is likely to be considered by Wales at some stage, if only to mentor the likes of
Sam Costelow, Ioan Lloyd and potentially Dan Edwards.
Costelow had a rough ride during the Six Nations, coming in for criticism from large sections of the Welsh public, some of whom already seem happy to write off the 23-year-old’s entire international career.
Will Costelow develop into a topclass international fly-half? Time will tell, but I think Gatland should resist the temptation of putting Anscombe into the squad as first choice this summer. He should stick with Costelow.
Wales need to place faith in Costelow and it is likely to be a case of short-term pain for long-term gain.
Some have argued Costelow needs to better stamp his mark on games, while he may also need to find a balance between knowing when to kick and when to pull the trigger in attack, but this will all come with experience.
Those who have coached and played with the 23-year-old say he is a quick learner who has a knack of solving problems on the field, while he also embraces the pressure.
Costelow is very highly regarded by the Wales management, as he was by Leicester Tigers who were disappointed to see him leave the East Midlands four years ago.
Gatland hasn’t got the luxury of being as ruthless as he could be during his first stint in charge of Wales, because the strength in depth isn’t there. Looking back at Dan Biggar’s international career, people forget he was dropped after Wales’ home draw with Fiji in 2010 and spent a couple of years in the international wilderness.
Biggar didn’t turn into a modernday great overnight and there were plenty of bumps along the way. I’m not suggesting Costelow will be as good as Biggar, but there is clear potential there and the only way he will realise it is by having time in the saddle.
While Wales desperately need to pick up some wins to get supporters back on side, there aren’t any quick fixes available at the moment and Gatland has no choice but to go through some pain with a number of players.
However, this Wales side is crying out for some experience and Anscombe could still play an integral role moving forward.
Stephen Jones’ experience at the end of his international career helped the likes of Biggar and Rhys Priestland. There is no reason why Anscombe can’t do the same for the likes of Costelow and Lloyd.
Costelow needs to be backed and given the confidence to make mistakes but grow and develop in the Wales No. 10 shirt.
Young Ospreys playmaker Edwards also has the raw ability to wear the jersey at the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
But for now, Costelow is Wales’ best bet.