Winning coach’s classy gesture to Wales star

After the Dragons’ hard-fought victory over the Scarlets, coach Dai Flanagan used the occasion to gracefully acknowledge Sam Costelow. Costelow’s missed penalty kick in the closing moments seemed to be a vital factor in the team’s loss at Rodney Parade.

Despite the fact that his team defeated the Scarlets in a victory that lessened his pressure following their crushing defeat against Cardiff on Boxing Day, Flanagan’s first thought was of Costelow because the two had previously collaborated at the Scarlets.

“I just want to make a special mention for Sam Costelow, who I worked with for a while,” he stated. “People shouldn’t hold Sam back since that was a really unusual experience for him. He is a fantastic player and we have to back him.”

On the win, he added: “The raw emotion is pride. We asked the group to come out and front up physically and we looked a different side.

“We have to make sure this is not a one-off, there is a cycle we have to break.”

Speaking about the missed penalty by Costelow late on in the defeat, Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel backed the fly-half – making his first start for the west Walians this season after injury on Wales duty – to come back stronger from the disappointment.

“That’s just one of those things,” he said. “You don’t expect it but it’s happened. It’s tough on Sam but he’ll bounce back.”

Test stars slam muddy pitch

Pros criticize the muddy pitch

Following their 27–21 loss to the Ospreys, a few international players for Cardiff were not happy with the condition of the pitch at Brewery Field in Bridgend.

Josh Adams wrote on Twitter, “Pitch appears in good condition,” along with a long-nosed, lying face emoji, while Thomas Young wrote, “That’s a first! Is it appropriate for a professional game to be played on such a pitch?

The ground, which typically hosts Welsh Premiership rugby, was reduced to a mud bath due to heavy rain throughout the holiday season, to which many fans expressed discontent. But there were lots of who enjoyed the spectacle of a regional match being played at a packed old ground in difficult conditions rather than a half empty stadium in Swansea.

After the game, Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt slammed Cardiff’s lack of discipline after his side surrendered a 13-point lead.

Cardiff were in total control of the game at half-time but lost the physical battle after the break, and as a result coughed up a number of penalties, some of which were avoidable. “The first half went as well as it could but that was only half a job,” said Sherratt.

“The message was to do the same again but the 8-2 penalty count says it all. In those conditions, it was about territory, effort and discipline.

“The effort was there and we picked up another bonus point away to a good side. But silly penalties in the second half gave away territory and if you do that, you’re going to get punished.”

Booth highlights exceptional ability Morse

The influence that 18-year-old No. 8 Morgan Morse had on his team’s victory over Cardiff was highlighted by Ospreys head coach Toby Booth.

As the game was on the line, Morse sidestepped two opponents, ran the ball back from a 22 restart, and touched down from 45 meters out. Furthermore, Booth thinks the Ospreys have a unique talent on their hands.

Booth remarked, “The boy is quick, right?” We are aware that, like Dan Edwards, he is talented. Many of the young people are now persevering.

“Now that the first wave has passed, the next step is to force the second wave through.

These boys bring loads of energy and it’s great to work with them because they want to learn and they want to get better.

“Morgan Morse has got great physical capability. Everyone has seen that.

“When he played there, you witnessed that with the U20s. He can defeat people because he is swift.”

Over the following several seasons, Booth is optimistic that Morse will be able to advance his game thanks to the Ospreys’ more seasoned players. “Observe Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris, and Justin Tipuric in front of him. He is surrounded by some excellent people from whom he might learn,” he remarked.

He has some raw edges, especially on the attacking side of the ball where we are working, and he will be the first to admit that. Gaining that will make your player more complete and ultimately give him greater influence over the game.”

Dragons captain claims that the Scarlets’ victory quieted their detractors.

The Dragons’ close 13-12 victory over the Scarlets at Rodney Parade, according to captain Rhodri Williams, went a long way toward proving their detractors wrong.

The Dragons received harsh criticism after losing badly to Cardiff on Boxing Day, 55-21, but they fared better against the Scarlets. Williams feels his team showed their worth, even though they were spared after Sam Costelow missed a penalty kick directly in front of the goal posts.

Williams said, “I thought the boys dug deep,” to S4C.