Injury Updates: Costelow Hopeful, Plumtree Out
Sam Costelow earned his 20th cap for Wales in the recent match against Scotland, while Taine Plumtree has accumulated 14 caps.
Wales remain hopeful that fly-half Sam Costelow will continue to participate in the Six Nations tournament, although flanker Taine Plumtree has been confirmed as unavailable due to injury.
Both players sustained injuries during Wales' 26-23 loss to Scotland on Saturday.
Head coach Steve Tandy acknowledged post-match that the situation looked concerning, with both Scarlets players undergoing scans on Monday.
Costelow, aged 25, exited the field in the second half due to an ankle injury but remains with the squad to "continue with the rehabilitation" ahead of upcoming fixtures against Ireland and Italy.
Back row forward Plumtree, also 25, suffered a shoulder injury just nine minutes into the game and has since been released from the Wales squad.
Earlier in the week, Ospreys lock Rhys Davies was ruled out after an ankle injury sustained during training.
As of now, no replacements have been called up to cover the absences of Costelow, Plumtree, and Davies. The official squad remains at 37 players, with potential additions expected when the team reconvenes on Sunday.
Wales have released nine players back to their regional teams this weekend for United Rugby Championship (URC) matches, while players based in England and France are scheduled to return to their respective clubs.
Currently, Wales sit at the bottom of the Six Nations table following defeats to England, France, and Scotland, extending their losing streak in the tournament to 14 consecutive games over three years.
Wales are set to face Ireland in Dublin on Friday, 6 March, followed by a home match against Italy eight days later to conclude the tournament.
What Will Wales Do at Fly-Half if Costelow Is Unavailable?
Sam Costelow secured his 20th Wales cap on Saturday.
There remains significant uncertainty regarding Costelow's availability for the remainder of the Six Nations.
After being recalled for the Scotland match, the fly-half made a strong impression during his 55 minutes on the field at the Principality Stadium.
"He's been through a lot in his Wales career with not being involved in the autumn but we backed him to come back in and he really took that opportunity," said Tandy.
"He was fantastic with the way he drove the team forward in that first half. It's such a shame for him that it ended with injury."
Costelow had replaced Ospreys fly-half Dan Edwards, who had started the previous seven Wales internationals, including six under Tandy.
Edwards, aged 22, was omitted from the match-day 23 against Scotland, with Harlequins fly-half Jarrod Evans entering as a replacement.
Centres Joe Hawkins and Ben Thomas also have experience playing at fly-half (number 10).
Forward Call-Ups and Squad Depth
Taine Plumtree has 14 Wales caps.
With the loss of two back-five forwards this week, Wales will be assessing their options in the second row and back row positions.
Cardiff flanker James Botham impressed when he came off the bench to replace Plumtree, forming a back-row trio with Alex Mann and Aaron Wainwright, the latter being Wales' standout player in the tournament so far.
Additional options within the squad include Olly Cracknell and Josh Macleod, both of whom have started a Six Nations match, as well as Ospreys open-side flanker Harri Deaves, who featured as a replacement against England.
Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell has not yet been selected by Tandy, having been left out of two recent squads.
Potential call-ups could also include Ospreys players Morgan Morse and Ross Moriarty, along with Dragons flanker Ryan Woodman, who can also cover lock.
Dafydd Jenkins and Ben Carter have established themselves as Wales' preferred second-row pairing following strong performances against Scotland, each recording 22 tackles.
They are supported by Adam Beard, who was dropped after the 54-12 defeat to France, and Gloucester's Freddie Thomas, who was a replacement last weekend.
Recent Matches and Upcoming Fixtures
Wales' narrow loss to Scotland was described as "gut-wrenching" by Dewi Lake.
Wales' current Six Nations fixtures include the match against Ireland on 6 March in Dublin and the tournament finale against Italy at home on 14 March.
Wales 2026 Six Nations Squad
Forwards (19): Adam Beard (Montpellier), Liam Belcher (Cardiff), James Botham (Cardiff), Rhys Carre (Saracens), Ben Carter (Dragons), Olly Cracknell (Leicester), Harri Deaves (Ospreys), Ryan Elias (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Provence), Archie Griffin (Bath), Dafydd Jenkins (Exeter), Dewi Lake (Ospreys, captain), Alex Mann (Cardiff), Josh Macleod (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Leicester), Gareth Thomas (Ospreys), Freddie Thomas (Gloucester), Aaron Wainwright (Dragons), Sam Wainwright (Cardiff).
Backs (18): Josh Adams (Cardiff), Sam Costelow (Scarlets), Dan Edwards (Ospreys), Jarrod Evans (Harlequins), Mason Grady (Cardiff), Kieran Hardy (Ospreys), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (Leicester), Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Eddie James (Scarlets), Ellis Mee (Scarlets), Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys), Blair Murray (Scarlets), Louis Rees-Zammit (Bristol Bears), Tom Rogers (Scarlets), Ben Thomas (Cardiff), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Tomos Williams (Gloucester).
