Welsh rugby: Ben Thomas shines in battle of Wales No10 contenders

Former Wales fly-half James Hook said: “Tactically Sheedy was excellent, Lloyd went well but those two missed penalties by Costelow really took the wind out of the Scarlets’ sails.

“Ben Thomas went really well at 12, in what some people would argue is his best position.

“He created the last try with real heads-up rugby. I was impressed with his kicking but also defensively, he was excellent.

“Tactically it’s a big thing to play fly-half but the Welsh management want a 10 who is defensively strong.

“Ben punches above his weight and even though he had Johnny Williams and [second row] Alex Craig coming down his channel, he dealt with them really well.”

It was a good weekend for Welsh outside-halves as Dan Edwards completed a ‘full house’ – try, conversion, penalty and drop goal – in a 20-point haul against Stormers, while fit-again Gareth Anscombe was a try-scorer for Gloucester.

“Dan Edwards is really maturing and starting to put some performances together for Ospreys,” Hook added.

“He’s only going to get better and I’m sure that will put him in the mind of the Welsh coaches.”