Sam Costelow is back in training after missing Wales' Six Nations defeat to England, while a number of players have been released back to their regions.

The Scarlets fly-half had missed the trip to Twickenham with a neural neck injury suffered in the first-half of Wales' defeat to Scotland, with club team-mate Ioan Lloyd deputising for the 23-year-old.

With a trip to Dublin next to face an Ireland team who have won 19 out of their last 20 matches, having Costelow back is a handy piece of good news for Warren Gatland as his young Wales side continue to learn the harsh lessons of Test rugby.

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"He is looking good and trained this morning," said head of physical performance Huw Bennett on Costelow.

The news on Costelow follows the announcement that Archie Griffin and Tom Rogers have left the squad due to injury. In addition to that, Bennett confirmed five players - Mackenzie Martin, Seb Davies Joe Roberts, Kemsley Mathias and Cai Evans - would be released back to their regions.

Five other England and France based players - Dillon Lewis, Nick Tompkins, Tommy Reffell, Will Rowlands and captain Dafydd Jenkins - have also had to be released back to their respective clubs.

"On Archie, it is very disappointing for him," added Bennett. "He is a new player to the environment and a good character.

"There will be some players to be released to get some game-time with the regions."

As one of three fly-halves in the squad, the release of Evans back to the Dragons suggests Costelow is fully fit ahead of the trip to Dublin.

Bennett was starting the last time Wales won there in the Six Nations, back in 2012. Their last victory over Ireland anywhere was back in 2021, with the two teams enduring very different fortunes since then.

While Ireland have lost just three of their 34 games since that defeat in Cardiff, Wales have been beaten 22 times in the 39 matches since.

As such, Bennett is fully aware of the challenge facing Wales.

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"Ireland are well up there at the minute in the way they are playing," he said. "They have got an established group physically, and they haven't won 19 games out of 20 for no reason.

"We know the challenge that is coming up for us, but every game for this group has been a challenge and a chance to prove themselves, and it will be another opportunity.

"You have got to go out there and be ruthless, I guess, really back your game-plan, with an insight to play some rugby. We have got to be on top of our game in terms of trying to close them down in terms of what they possess in their attack.

"I know it sounds pretty straightforward, but give as few opportunities to the opposition as you can. You can't be giving away penalties and easy outs, and I am sure that will be a big focus.

"They are very strong at the minute, which everyone is aware of. I think it's playing for 80 minutes. If you switch off in an area of the game, you get penalised."