Costelow injury worry for Wales as Scarlets thrash Newcastle
Scarlets secured a seven‑try, bonus‑point victory in the European Challenge Cup, beating the Newcastle Red Bulls 47‑14 at a packed Llanelli ground. The win was marred by a hamstring problem for fly‑half Sam Costelow, who left the field in the first half after scoring the opening try, leaving Wales coach Steve Tandy uneasy just three days before he announces his Autumn Nations Championship squad.
Macs Page celebrated his 50th cap by crossing the line twice, while number eight Fletcher Anderson, centre Johnny Williams, scrum‑half Gareth Davies and wing Ellis Mee also added tries. The match also featured a reunion of former Scarlets and Wales fly‑half Stephen Jones, now an assistant coach at Newcastle, against his old half‑back partner Dwayne Peel.
Newcastle managed late scores from Oliver Spencer and Ollie Leatherbarrow, but the defeat marked their fourth consecutive loss following three defeats in the Premiership.
In front of 5,629 spectators, Anderson and Davies, who impressed as replacements in the 27‑26 win over Benetton, earned their first starts of the season. Newcastle fielded a reshuffled side, giving debuts to wing Brandon Jackson and Argentine prop Francisco Moreno, while 18‑year‑old Scottish fly‑half Jake Dalziel started at number ten. Full‑back Blair Murray produced a dazzling 60‑metre counter‑attack that ultimately ended empty‑handed.
Costelow opened the scoring with a solo effort, slipping through the heart of the Newcastle defence. Davies then delivered a clever cross‑field kick that was gathered by Mee, who was tackled just short of the line before Anderson powered over. A well‑executed third try saw lock Alex Groves break through, then feed the ball to Williams for the score.
Scarlets’ occasional indiscipline, including back‑chat to the referee and a ball‑kicking incident, gave Newcastle short chances, but they could not convert them. Substitute Joe Hawkins entered for Costelow and added the conversion for Davies’ try after Mee’s break.
The hosts led 26‑0 at the interval and introduced Wales back‑row Taine Plumtree, making his season debut after recovering from shoulder surgery. Captain Josh Macleod continued to impress, repeatedly forcing turnovers that put Scarlets on the front foot. Newcastle prop Murray McCallum received a yellow card, and Scarlets exploited the extra man by moving the ball to Mee in the right corner.
From the restart, Scarlets struck again as Anderson and centre Joe Roberts set the platform for Page, who collected a grubber kick and sprinted over unopposed. Page added a second try after following up Mee’s precise inside kick. Newcastle finally responded with a try from replacement Spencer, and Leatherbarrow completed the scoring.
With only one European match remaining before the December round, Scarlets now face a demanding United Rugby Championship double‑header in South Africa against the Stormers and the Bulls. Newcastle return to Premiership action next Saturday when they host Sale.
Scarlets: Murray; Mee, Roberts, Williams, Page; Costelow, G. Davies; Mathias, McKee, Harri O’Connor, Cuckson, Groves, Lousi, Macleod (c), Anderson. Replacements: Elias, Sam O’Connor, Hawley, Plumtree, Davis, Blacker, Hawkins, James.
Newcastle: Hodge; Ene, Harris, Hutchison, Jackson; Dalziel, Elliott; West, Fletcher, Moreno, Baker, Molina, Ferrie, Leatherbarrow, Graham (c). Replacements: Adejimi, Brocklebank, McCallum, Usher, Hicks, Benitez Cruz, Connon, Spencer. Sin‑bin: McCallum (54). Referee: Evan Urruzmendi (France). Assistant referees: Anthony Lac and Ludovic Lespes (France). TMO: Jean Lespes.