The China Mail - Costelow starts, Hamer-Webb makes Wales debut in Six Nations clash with Scotland

Scarlets' Costelow and Leicester winger Hamer-Webb were two of four changes to the starting side announced by coach Steve Tandy on Thursday following last week's 54-12 thrashing by France -- Wales' 13th straight Six Nations loss.

Costelow, in for Dan Edwards, and Hamer -- who replaces Ellis Mee -- are the only two changes in the back division.

Costelow has not played for Wales since a defeat by Japan at Kitakyushu last July.

In the pack, Taine Plumtree takes over at blindside flanker and Ben Carter is selected ahead of Adam Beard at lock.

Beard was heavily criticised after his miscued kick led to France's fourth try in Cardiff last weekend.

Plumtree comes into a reshaped back row with Olly Cracknell dropping out and veteran Aaron Wainwright moving to No 8.

Bath-born Hamer-Webb, who represented England Under-20s in the Six Nations, has made eight appearances for Leicester since moving from Cardiff in pre-season.

The 25-year-old qualifies for Wales through his Cardiff-born mother.

"Gabe has really impressed me in the way he's attacked training, the way he's learnt, the way he's adapted and the way he's just settled into the squad," said Tandy.

"His training efforts have been outstanding.

"Then when you dig into his background at Leicester, even when he wasn't in the team, everyone said he was an amazing team player.

"He also kept pushing, he never gave up and then when he had his Leicester opportunity he took it with two hands, and now this opportunity has come up and it's thoroughly deserved."

- 'Consistent moments' -

Cardiff flanker James Botham -- the grandson of England cricket great Ian Botham -- is included on the bench for the first time this Six Nations.

"We feel this is the best team to take on Scotland and with a six-day turnaround you want some freshness as well going into the game," said Tandy.

"We want to see more consistent moments and back-to-back moments, which we feel if we get, we'll be closer to getting the outcome we want from games," the former Scotland defence coach added.

Wales, who have lost 23 out of their previous 25 Tests, have not won a Six Nations home game since beating Scotland in February 2022.

They've also endured a difficult start to life under Tandy, conceding 42 tries and 302 points during his first six matches as Wales coach.

Scotland, set to name their team later Thursday, arrive in Cardiff buoyed by a 31-20 Calcutta Cup win over England at Murrayfield that followed a lacklustre loss away to Italy in their tournament opener.

Wales (15-1)

Louis Rees-Zammit; Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Tomos Williams; Aaron Wainwright, Alex Mann, Taine Plumtree; Ben Carter, Dafydd Jenkins; Tomas Francis, Dewi Lake (capt), Rhys Carre

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Nicky Smith, Archie Griffin, Freddie Thomas, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Jarrod Evans, Blair Murray

Coach: Steve Tandy (WAL)

C.Fong--ThChM