Costelow’s Scarlets form rewarded by Pivac with first official Wales call-up
WALES have named five uncapped players in their squad for the autumn internationals, including under-20s skipper Joe Hawkins, as captain Dan Biggar misses out through injury.
Fly-half Biggar, who has led Wales throughout the 2022 Six Nations and the summer tour to South Africa, misses the campaign after injuring his knee playing for Northampton two weeks ago. No captain has been earmarked in his place, with Wales boss Wayne Pivac suggesting there may be more than one throughout November.
In his place, Gareth Anscombe, who is expected to return from a rib injury and play for the Ospreys this week, will be the premier fly-half in the squad and there is a first official call-up for 21-year-old Scarlet Sam Costelow, who impressed the Wales management when he trained against the squad before the South Africa trip last summer. Rhys Priestland is the other No. 10 in the squad.
Elsewhere, scrum-half Dane Blacker, under-20s captain and centre Hawkins and Dragons winger Rio Dyer have earned their first senior call-ups. The one uncapped player in the forwards is Scarlets flanker Josh Macleod, who was supposed to make his debut in the 2021 Six Nations but suffered an injury in training after being named to face Scotland.
Joining Macleod in the back row is the returning Christ Tshiunza, who has impressed for Exeter lately, and Justin Tipuric, who has been missing recently with a rib injury. Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell are both called up alongside Taulupe Faletau, but there is no room for Cardiff flanker Thomas Young.
Among the props, Nicky Smith has earned a Wales recall after over a year out of the Test arena, and there is no place for Cardiff prop Rhys Carre. Scarlets’ loose-head Wyn Jones is listed as unavailable.
Scarlets stalwarts Ken Owens and Leigh Halfpenny are both named in the squad having recently returned from long-term back and knee injuries.
Joining Jones and Biggar in missing out through injury are Taine Basham, Leon Brown, Seb Davies, Josh Navidi, Johnny Williams and Liam Williams.
Pivac said: “It’s great to have Ken, Justin and Leigh back after long-term injuries. They are three great players who have served Wales very well. We’re excited to have them in the squad for obvious reasons.”
Talking about the uncapped players in the squad, Pivac added: “Dane Blacker has been playing well at 9 for the Scarlets. We know a lot about Gareth (Davies) – it’s not the end of the road for Gareth, I’ve spoken to him. Sam Costelow is another young player at the Scarlets playing well and having come through the age grade system.”
Forwards (20): Rhodri Jones, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Dewi Lake, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Dillon Lewis, Sam Wainwright, Adam Beard, Ben Carter, Alun Wyn Jones, Will Rowlands, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Josh Macleod, Jac Morgan, Tommy Reffell, Justin Tipuric, Christ Tshiunza.
Backs (15): Dane Blacker, Kieran Hardy, Tomos Williams, Gareth Anscombe, Sam Costelow, Rhys Priestland, Joe Hawkins, George North, Nick Tompkins, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams, Alex Cuthbert, Rio Dyer, Leigh Halfpenny, Louis ReesZammit.