Cheetahs 26-45 Scarlets: Complete performance from Sam Costelow earns bonus-point win

A complete performance from young Wales playmaker Sam Costelow helped fire the Scarlets to a comfortable bonus point victory over the Cheetahs.

With Warren Gatland pondering the age profile of his Wales squad looking ahead to both the Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup the maturing performances of Costelow will have encouraged him.

While Dan Biggar will undoubtedly wear the number 10 shirt for the Six Nations opener against Ireland, especially with Gareth Anscombe sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Costelow is putting serious pressure on Rhys Priestland for a place in the matchday 23.

The 21-year-old was sensational in Parma and was the key player, kicking 15 points, as the Scarlets ripped the hapless South African side to shreds.Costelow is a dangerous running outside-half with peripheral vision and a nice passing game but it is his game management which sets him apart.

There's a touch of Biggar about him with his tactical kicking and his decision making marking him out as a player who will soon take the international scene by storm.

He was flawless against the Cheetahs as the Scarlets put in their best performances of the season, but he wasn't alone.

Scrum-half Dane Blacker, prop Kemsley Mathias and Willgriff John, along with Vaea Fifita, Sam Lousi, and, Sione Kalamafoni, were also impressive.The Scarlets have struggled badly in the United Rugby Championship this season but the Challenge Cup has provided them a clean slate, and they have made the most of it.

This resounding victory comes off the back of last Sunday's thumping 39-7 win over Bayonne and puts them in a very strong position to qualify for the knockout stages of this competition.

They actually made a pretty poor start with Munier Hartzenberg hitting a good line