Latest news with #SamCostelow
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Japan 0-7 Wales: Thomas gives visitors early lead
Update: Date: 8 mins Title: Post Content: Japan 0-7 Wales James HookFormer Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales The situation Wales are in now means Wales need to win, especially with the World Cup draw at the end of autumn, this is an opportunity to get two wins and move up the rankings. You look at the autumn campaign, they play New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Japan again, they're not easy games. Update: Date: 7 mins Title: Post Content: Japan 0-7 Wales A lot has been made in the build up about how greasy the ball will get, and we have our first dropped pass on the game from Amato Fakatava. I except there will be more where that came from as the game goes on. Update: Date: 6 mins Title: Post Content: Japan 0-7 Wales A first error from Wales, as Kieran Hardy's kick goes out on the full, so Japan have a line-out on the Welsh 10-metre line. Update: Date: 5 mins Title: Post Content: Japan 0-7 Wales Richie ReesFormer Wales international on Scrum V Live Japan were too passive defensively, but Wales would've worked on this move so many times during this week. The timing of the line from Ben Thomas made that try. Update: Date: 4 mins Title: Converted try - Japan 0-7 Wales Content: Ben Thomas, con Sam Costelow. The decision to kick to the corner pays off. It's excellent work from Taulupe Faletau from the line-out routine, and the timing of the pass to Ben Thomas gives the Cardiff man a simple finish. Sam Costelow adds the extras, and Wales have an early lead. Just what the doctor ordered. Update: Date: 4 mins Title: Post Content: Japan 0-0 Wales Sam Costelow looks to chip the ball in behind but has his kick blocked, so we will go back to the penalty. Wales opt to kick to the corner, a sign of intent early on. Update: Date: 3 mins Title: Post Content: Japan 0-0 Wales This is a positive start for Wales, who are into the Japan 22 and have an advantage. Update: Date: 3 mins Title: Post Content: Japan 0-0 Wales Rhys PatchellWales fly-half on BBC One Wales Japan are a team that comes out of the blocks very quickly, and this could've possibly taken the wind out of their sails. This is a great opportunity for James Ratti, he has the opportunity to get right into the game from the start. Update: Date: 2 mins Title: Post Content: Japan 0-0 Wales The first scrum of the game, deep in Japan territory, is a good one for Wales. Japan manage to keep ahold of the ball, but the clearing kick does not get much distance. Early opportunity to attack for Wales. Update: Date: 1 min Title: Replacement Content: Japan 0-0 Wales Ben Carter is carried off the field on a stretcher to a round of applause from the whole stadium. James Ratti is on to replace the injured Carter. Hopefully a swift recovery for the Dragons lock. Update: Date: 1 mins Title: Post Content: Japan 0-0 Wales The stretcher is out for Ben Carter, whose game looks set to end after fewer than 30 seconds. Not the start Wales needed. Update: Date: 1 min Title: Early blow for Carter Content: Japan 0-0 Wales We are just 27 seconds into the game and the medical staff are already on for Wales' Ben Carter. The Wales second-row has been left on the floor after the first tackle of the game. It appears Carter took a hit to the side of the head during the tackle, and the medical teams are straight on. Update: Date: 1 min Title: Kick-off Content: Japan 0-0 Wales We are under way in the boiling heat in Japan. It is Sam Costelow who will take the kick-off. A huge game for Wales. Update: Date: 05:58 BST Title: Post Content: Japan v Wales (06:00 BST) James HookFormer Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales I think we can nick this, I've got Wales winning by three or four points. Update: Date: 05:56 BST Title: Anthem time! Content: Japan v Wales (06:00 BST) It's time for the anthems, starting with Wales' 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau', followed by Japan's 'Kimigayo'. Update: Date: 05:56 BST Title: Williams excited for Wales return Content: Japan v Wales (06:00 BST) One man who hasn't had to endure Wales' 17-match losing run [on the pitch] is Johnny Williams. The Scarlets centre has not featured since the 2023 Rugby World Cup. But he is back today pulling on the national shirt and says he can't wait. This video can not be played Update: Date: 05:54 BST Title: Any win will do Content: Japan v Wales (06:00 BST) Gareth GriffithsBBC Sport Wales at Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu It is not so much a nation expects. It is more something the Welsh rugby nation is desperate for. An international win. Any win will do. Wales will hope it finally comes this morning. It could help lift some doom and gloom. Welsh rugby is in the doldrums with the men's side enduring a record international 17-match losing run and currently having no permanent head coach. Only two players were selected for the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia with flanker Jac Morgan since left flying the flag alone for Wales, following an injury to scrum-half Tomos Williams. The long-term future of the domestic game is uncertain with fears the number professional sides could be cut. Mostly radio silence from the Wales Rugby Union (WRU) and regions in recent weeks has not helped allay the anxiety of players and fans. Welsh rugby needs something to grasp on to. Halting the losing streak might help start that healing process. Update: Date: 05:53 BST Title: Our survey says Content: Japan v Wales (06:00 BST) Matt Sherratt has revealed he sent a questionnaire to the squad to assess their mood going ahead of the trip to Japan. "It wasn't anything wordy, just three questions," he said. "What motivates you to play, what do you want to get out of the trip and what are you going to bring? "Literally every one was 'I play for my family, I want to enjoy the trip and I want to win for Wales'. So we've built everything around that." Update: Date: 05:52 BST Title: Post Content: Japan v Wales (06:00 BST) Dafydd JonesBBC Radio Wales commentator It's stilflingly hot here pitch side, even in the shade. The players are going through their final preparations in the baking hot sun. There's an intense 80 minutes to come. Update: Date: 05:51 BST Title: Some like it hot! Content: Japan v Wales (06:00 BST) Like I mentioned earlier, the match is going to be played in testing conditions. With the kick-off being 14:00 local time, temperatures are expected to reach 33C, while there will also be a high level of humidity. With this in mind, there will be a three-minute break midway through each half, while half-time will be extended to 20 minutes from the original 15 minutes. Expect the water boys to be busy as well.
France 24
03-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Wales look to end 17-game losing streak with 'massive' Japan win
The Welsh go into the first of two away games against Japan having lost their last 17 Tests -- a record for a Tier One country in the professional era. Conditions are likely to be tricky in steamy Kitakyushu, with temperatures expected to reach 32 Celsius and humidity making the ball slippery. But Sherratt, who has returned as caretaker head coach for the tour, believes a win over Eddie Jones's Japan can be "the start of something" for the wounded Welsh. "It's massive," Sherratt said after naming his team with hooker Dewi Lake as captain. "I spoke to the players before we came away and I wondered what their motivation was and why they were coming here. "The short answer was that they want to win for Wales." Flanker Josh Macleod returns for his first game since 2022, winning his third cap starting in the back row alongside Alex Mann and Taulupe Faletau. Fly-half Sam Costelow and lock Ben Carter also return to the starting line-up after missing the Six Nations through injury. Kieran Hardy makes his first appearance of the season at scrum-half while centre Johnny Williams returns for the first time since the 2023 World Cup. Sherratt said Wales had "done everything we can to prepare" for the hot conditions, including training in heat chambers before travelling to Japan. "It's not the heat, it's the ball -- it's very difficult to keep the ball dry," he said. "It's probably going to be a game on TV where the conditions look perfect, but for the players, the ball's really greasy. It tests your skill set." Japan's Cheslin Kolbe Jones named an inexperienced Japan team featuring two uncapped players in the starting line-up and another six on the bench. "Inexperience can sometimes be a blessing, particularly in hot conditions," the former Australia and England head coach said. "If they get out and really play with a lot of energy, a lot of determination, it will be up to the experienced players to steer the ship." Among Japan's new caps will be the diminutive 1.67 metre tall (5ft 5in) wing Kippei Ishida, who Jones said "can be a Japanese version" of South Africa livewire Cheslin Kolbe. "He's similar size, got great feet, great aerial skills, and in training he's impressed everyone," Jones said of Ishida, who will start on the right wing. "It was impossible not to select him." Veteran loose forward Michael Leitch captains the team for his 88th cap, with Japan regulars Warner Dearns, Dylan Riley and Seungsin Lee also in the starting line-up. The second Test is in Kobe on July 12. Japan (15-1): Takuro Matsunaga; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Malo Tuitama; Seungsin Lee, Shinobu Fujiwara; Amato Fakatava, Jack Cornelsen, Michael Leitch (capt); Warner Dearns, Epineri Uluiviti; Shuhei Takeuchi, Mamoru Harada, Yota Kamimori. Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Keijiro Tamefusa, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shuntaro Kitamura, Ichigo Nakakusa, Halatoa Vailea. Wales (15-1): Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy; Taulupe Faletau, Josh Macleod, Alex Mann; Teddy Williams, Ben Carter; Keiron Assiratti, Dewi Lake (capt), Nicky Smith.
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
URC result: Sharks see off Scarlets in low-scoring affair
No tries were scored on the day, the Sharks claiming the win through four penalties to the Scarlets' solitary drop-goal. The Sharks edged out the Scarlets 12–3 in their final United Rugby Championship league phase match, played at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday. It was a low-scoring game that saw no tries scored. Whenever either team found momentum to reach the other's 22, they lost the ball at the breakdown or spilled it forward. The Sharks especially struggled to take their opportunities despite securing more possession and territory. Ultimately, it came down to mistakes and the penalties they conceded – which proved decisive. The match held familial significance as Sharks coach John Plumtree's son, Taine, played at No 8 for Scarlets on the day. He was good in defence but had few attacking opportunities. Sharks and Scarlets both struggle Both teams lacked sharpness at the start and were still scoreless after the first 30 minutes. This, despite a few good drives from the Sharks. The home side finally put points on the board through an easy penalty kick in the 38th minute. As the hooter sounded, Scarlets flyhalf Sam Costelow slotted a drop-goal to make it 3–3 at the break. The beginning of the second half was likewise quiet, the Sharks only securing a penalty kick in the 53rd minute, which Aphelele Fassi slotted to give them a three-point lead. The Sharks brought on four substitutes in the 55th minute. But even they struggled to provide the killing edge they needed. The Sharks extended their lead with another penalty kick in the 68th minute and their fourth in the final minute. All attacks from the Scarlets faltered, and they finished the game with just their drop-goal to speak of. Scorers Sharks: Penalties – Siya Masuku 1/1, Aphelele Fassi 3/3. Scarlets: Drop-goals – Sam Costelow 1/1.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales fly-half Costelow signs new Scarlets deal
Wales fly-half Sam Costelow has signed a new deal with Scarlets. The 24-year-old has played 67 matches and scored 420 points for the Llanelli side since arriving from Leicester Tigers in 2020. He has also been capped 18 times for Wales, but missed this year's Six Nations due to a shoulder injury. "I am really grateful to the Scarlets for giving me this chance," Costelow said. "We have a good group here, we're ticking along nicely and it is a place where I want to be right now. We have had a lot of learnings this season, but it has been a good year." Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: "We all know his quality, he is still only 24, but he has a lot of experience already, both for us and at international level. "He is going to have a big part to play in this side over the coming seasons." Wales' Mathias set to return for Scarlets at Lions Scrum-half Blacker 'excited' to return to Scarlets Costelow made his long-awaited return from injury in Scarlets' victory over United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster, which has put the region in the play-off spots with two games to play. "It is never nice to get injured, you want to play as much rugby as you can, but being back out there with my mates against Leinster, playing in front of the fans again, it was awesome," said Costelow. Scarlets face Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday before moving on to Durban to take on Sharks in the final round six days later. "We are under no illusion how tough these games are going to be, but we have spoken this week, we have a chance to write our own history and really kick on as a side," added Costelow.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales fly-half Costelow signs new Scarlets deal
Wales fly-half Sam Costelow has signed a new deal with 24-year-old has played 67 matches and scored 420 points for the Llanelli side since arriving from Leicester Tigers in has also been capped 18 times for Wales, but missed this year's Six Nations due to a shoulder injury. "I am really grateful to the Scarlets for giving me this chance," Costelow said. "We have a good group here, we're ticking along nicely and it is a place where I want to be right now. We have had a lot of learnings this season, but it has been a good year."Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: "We all know his quality, he is still only 24, but he has a lot of experience already, both for us and at international level."He is going to have a big part to play in this side over the coming seasons." Costelow made his long-awaited return from injury in Scarlets' victory over United Rugby Championship leaders Leinster, which has put the region in the play-off spots with two games to play."It is never nice to get injured, you want to play as much rugby as you can, but being back out there with my mates against Leinster, playing in front of the fans again, it was awesome," said face Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday before moving on to Durban to take on Sharks in the final round six days later."We are under no illusion how tough these games are going to be, but we have spoken this week, we have a chance to write our own history and really kick on as a side," added Costelow.
