Gareth Thomas has tipped childhood best friends Tommy Reffell and Sam Costelow to shine for Wales at this year's Rugby World Cup and claimed they could form a "crucial" part of Warren Gatland's side in years to come.
The former Wales captain has been impressed with the form of both of the Pencoed RFC youth products and has backed Scarlets fly-half Costelow, who has two caps for his country after making his debut last autumn, to force his way into Gatland's final squad ahead of the tournament in September.
Reffell, meanwhile, has a golden opportunity to make his mark in the Wales backrow this autumn following the retirements of Justin Tipuric and Josh Navidi, although he could face competition from Jac Morgan to start at openside in France.
