Former Wales internationals Richie Rees and Alex Cuthbert have called upon Steve Tandy to start Sam Costelow against Argentina this weekend. The Scarlets fly-half came off the bench during Wales' 39-24 win over Fiji on Saturday, helping guide Tandy's side to their first back-to-back Test victory since the 2023 World Cup. Dan Edwards, who started at the Cardiff City Stadium on the weekend, has been in possession of the 10 jersey for 10 of the last 11 Test matches.
Rees Highlights Costelow's Impact
Speaking on the Scrum V podcast, Rees explained how the 25-year-old helped get Wales over the line on the weekend. "It's really important when you play a team like Fiji, you make them play a game that you want to play," said Rees. "Their DNA is something different to ours, so you have to take that away."
Rees noted that Fiji's unstructured defence could be exploited with a controlled kicking game. "I thought the Sam Costelow substitution, the timing of that was spot-on. Sam gives you something different to Dan. Dan plays what he sees a little bit more, whereas Sam is a little bit more controlled and experienced in the game. His kicking game when he came on the field."
Costelow's precise kicking proved decisive: "Dan missed the posts a couple of times and then when he went to the corner, he maybe put it 15 metres out. If that's five metres from the line, it's a completely different lineout call. When Sam came on the field, he managed the game well and those kicks to the corner, we scored two tries from them."
Cuthbert and Rees Back Costelow for Start
Former Wales wing Alex Cuthbert remarked that he "wouldn't be surprised if he starts", with Rees adding that he believes he should. Later on in the podcast, Rees explained further why Costelow should start, highlighting how Scotland had exposed Argentina's defence in Cordoba by spreading the ball to the wide channels fast and often. Costelow did similar in his only start under Tandy, coincidentally against Scotland in this year's Six Nations, as the fly-half drove Wales' attack to great effect.
Argentina's Vulnerability Exposed
"They'll definitely be a stronger side," added Rees. "Having taken that hit of 47 points at home, they're an emotional bunch. Scotland were good, the speed of ball. Nearly all their tries were scored outside the 15-metre lines, all from a linebreak on the previous phase outside the 15-metre lines. So they played. As soon as you start stressing a narrow defence line, you start picking things off your mismatches."
"Wales need to play. That's why Sam Costelow might be a little better for this game. Staying in structure for longer, with a more effective kicking game. Scotland got tempo into the game."
The match against Argentina in San Juan this Saturday will be a crucial test for Wales as they seek to build momentum under Tandy.
