Sam Costelow returns from injury for Scarlets Champions Cup pool finale against Saints

January 16, 2026
75
Ultimate Rugby

Wales international fly-half Sam Costelow will make his return from injury as Scarlets take on Northampton Saints in the fourth round of the Investec Champions Cup at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday (15:15; Premier Sports).

Costelow hasn’t played since the round two tie in Bordeaux in December because of an ankle injury picked up in training.

He comes in as one of three personnel changes from the home defeat to Section Paloise last time out.

In the back three, Jac Davies, who featured in the opening rounds against Bristol and Bordeaux-Begles, gets the nod at full-back. Tom Rogers is ruled out with a groin injury so Blair Murray switches to the left wing and Ellis Mee moves across to the right.

With Costelow back in the No. 10 jersey, Joe Hawkins moves to inside centre and Eddie James to outside in place of the injured Joe Roberts, who picked up an ankle issue last weekend.

Archie Hughes continues at scrum-half following an impressive try-scoring showing against the French side.

In the pack, the front row of Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias and Henry Thomas remains the same.

Max Douglas returns from suspension to partner Jake Ball in the second row, while it’s same again for the back row of Taine Plumtree, Fletcher Anderson and skipper Josh Macleod.

Tomi Lewis, Macs Page and Gareth Davies are named as the backline cover on the bench, while flanker Jarrod Taylor also comes into the matchday 23.

Interim Director of Rugby Nigel Davies said: “Mindset and belief is a big thing for us. Northampton are a fantastic team and will be hot favourites and understandably so - we have to make sure we are in the right place to perform.

“I’m excited by the group. We have got some tremendous coaches and players and have a great opportunity to go up against one of the best teams in Europe and show what we’re about.”

Scarlets team to face Northampton Saints on Sunday, January 18 (15:15; Premier Sports)

15 Jac Davies; 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Blair Murray; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Archie Hughes; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Max Douglas, 5 Jake Ball, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Fletcher Anderson.

Reps: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Macs Page, 23 Tomi Lewis.

Unavailable because of injury/illness/suspension

Tom Rogers, Joe Roberts, Jac Price, Archer Holz, Johnny Williams, Ioan Jones, Isaac Young.