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Paul Abbandonato & Matthew Southcombe

Sunday rugby news as Cardiff statement on players imminent and Halfpenny and Costelow put down Wales markers

Your rugby headlines for Sunday October 16.

Cardiff statement imminent

Cardiff Rugby are due to issue a statement revealing the findings of their investigation into allegations that some of their players behaved 'appallingly' at a pub in the city two weeks ago.

Following the team's loss to the Lions, some players are alleged to have thrown eggs at The Grange pub in Grangetown.

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The club have since been investigating the claims and Cardiff Director of Rugby David Young said a statement was imminent following his side's victory over the Dragons on Saturday evening.

"The club are going to make a statement shortly on that. It [the investigation] has concluded and I wasn't a part of that process," he said.

"The club are going to make a statement shortly to clear that up. To be honest, we concentrated on the rugby anyway but it's not the type of publicity you want and it's not the type of attention that we want.

"But that will take care of itself and we had to do what we're paid to do and that is to perform on the pitch."

It's thought Cardiff will be issuing a statement on Sunday.

Halfpenny and Costelow put down Wales markers

Veteran Leigh Halfpenny and rookie Sam Costelow each gave Wales boss Wayne Pivac an autumn nudge as the Scarlets finally won their first game of the season.

Halfpenny kicked an 11-points haul and Costelow went over for two tries in the Scarlets' 36-12 win over Zebre.

Although it was only the Italian minnows as opposition, it was still a timely reminder to Pivac of the form of the Scarlets pair as he prepares to name his squad for the upcoming games.

With Liam Williams injured for the four November matches, Halfpenny is hoping for a return at full-back. Wales could need his marksmanship from the tee in the November 5 opener with New Zealand given the doubts about the fitness of fellow kicking experts Dan Biggar and Gareth Anscombe.

If those two are missing, the No.10 jersey will be up for grabs and 21-year-old Costelow has been one of the few shining lights for the Scarlets this season.

He has overtaken Rhys Patchell in the fly-half pecking order out west and, like Halfpenny, will be hoping his current form catches the eye of Pivac.

The Wales boss names his squad for the autumn games on Tuesday.

More injury woe for Pivac

However, Wales boss Wayne Pivac has been dealt two more injury blows after Josh Adams and Taine Basham were injured during Cardiff's Welsh derby win over the Dragons.

Pivac is already sweating on the fitness of a number of key men, including knee injury victim and captain Dan Biggar, ahead of naming his squad.

Try-machine Adams compounded the issues when leaving the Arms Park pitch with a wrist problem.

Flanker Basham also had to go off, looking in considerable pain with what is feared to be a dislocated elbow.

"It's a shame because Taine's playing well," said Dragons boss Dai Flanagan. "I've seen a load of energy in him and excitement."

Young has 'done all he can'

Thomas Young has done everything he can to earn a Wales recall after scooping man of the match in Cardiff's victory over the Dragons, according to boss David Young.

The flanker was front and centre once again as the Blue and Blacks claimed their second consecutive derby victory, scoring a brilliant try that displayed his impressive pace as he sprinted in from almost halfway.

It was another timely performance with Pivac due to name his Wales squad.

Director of rugby Young senior said: "Thomas hasn't had the opportunity to play against the Welsh regions on a regular basis. There has always been that doubt really but I think he's shown in the last two games that if he does get selected then he deserves it.

"There was always that doubt about whether he could do it against the Welsh regions when he was in England. He's come back because he wanted to play for Cardiff, it's his home club. But a part of that process as well is that he wants to give himself the best opportunity he can of pulling that red jersey on.

"He can't do much more than he's done and it's out of his hands."

On flanker Young's try, he said: "That's Thomas' point of difference. If somebody makes a break he's always on their shoulder.

"To be fair, if you watched him playing in the English Premiership, he's scored plenty of them."

Wales Women crushed at World Cup

Wales took a battering from hosts New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup in Auckland overnight, losing 56-12.

The Black Ferns smashed their way through to the quarter-finals, conceding only two tries from the visitors, who managed to score once in each half.

The hosts will play Scotland in final group game next week but have already secured a spot in the quarter-finals having earlier won 41-17 against Australia.

Fifon Lewis and Sioned Harries were the Welsh players to make it over the try line, while one successful conversion was scored by Elinor Snowsill.

Wales meet Australia next in a bid to finish as runners-up and progress to the knockout stages.

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