The latest rugby new stories from wales and beyond as Steve Tandy decides his autumn squad

Welsh trio forced off injured

Wales trio Sam Costelow, Ryan Elias and Josh Macleod were all forced off injured during the Scarlets' Challenge Cup victory over Newcastle, just days before Steve Tandy names his Wales squad for the autumn.

Fly-half Costelow departed after 36 minutes of the first-half, having opened the scoring in the 47-14 win at Parc y Scarlets. Replacement hooker Elias lasted around 14 minutes in the second-half before departing for a HIA, while Macleod was forced off three minutes from the end - leaving the Scarlets down to 14 men for the closing moments.

Afterwards, Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies claimed Costelow's exit was merely a "precaution" - with the Wales playmaker seeming to have a hamstring issue.

Given players would join up with Wales camp midway through the Scarlets' two matches against the Stormers and Bulls, it's not clear if any Welsh squad members would necessarily travel to South Africa anyway following Tuesday's announcement.

There was a boost to Tandy's plans, with Taine Plumtree getting 40 minutes under his belt after returning from injury.

Munster pay tribute to legend on emotional night

Munster defeated Racing 92 33-25 on an emotional night, as they marked the 10th anniversary of club legend and former coach Anthony Foley's death.

Friday had marked a decade since Foley's sudden death in Paris, on the eve of a fixture against Racing. At the time, Foley was the club's head coach - having been captain in their 2006 Heineken Cup triumph.

As they did for the first game following Foley's passing in 2016, Munster retired the No. 8 jersey for Saturday night's Champions Cup clash, with Brian Gleeson wearing the number 24.

Racing 92 also retired the number on the night.

There were other tributes, including a special photo wall at Páirc Uí Chaoimh celebrating Foley's achievements for Shannon, Munster and Ireland.

A choir from Foley's club Shannon performed a moving rendition of 'There Is An Isle,' the song that was performed at his funeral.

Munster's team took to the field in special jackets with the number 8 on the chest.

Ahead of kick-off, captains Tadhg Beirne and Maxime Baudonne exchanged number 8 jerseys, as 'The Fields of Athenry' rang around the ground.

In the eighth minute, fans in the stadium rose to their feet for a moment's applause in Foley's honour.

Fittingly Munster were already ahead at that point thanks to a try from No. 8 Gleeson. Further scores from Shay McCarthy, Beirne, Fineen Wycherley and Craig Casey ensured it was a winning start for Munster on an emotional night.

Newport move back to top of SRC

Newport moved back to the top of Super Rygbi Cymru with a 57-10 victory at home to champions Llandovery.

Following Cardiff's first defeat of the season against Swansea at St Helen's on Thursday, the Black and Ambers regained first place with a maximum six-point haul against the Drovers.

After last week's hammering away to RGC, they were back on form - running in nine tries against the reigning champions.

Chay Foster-Smith crossed for a hat-trick, while Hunter Ward and Henry Palmer both grabbed two tries apiece. Nick Thomas and Kyle Taylor-Woolston went over for Newport's other scores.

Elsewhere, Ebbw Vale edged out Aberavon 33-26 at Eugene Cross Park, while Bridgend struck late to beat Pontypool 38-33.

Connacht hold off Saracens

By PA

Cian Prendergast and Ciaran Frawley scored two tries apiece as Connacht defeated Saracens 45-36 in a Champions Cup thriller.

Saracens made the better start and opened up a 12-0 lead through tries from Sione Vaenuku and Noah Caluori but the Irish side came storming back.

Three tries in 12 minutes from Prendergast, Cathal Forde and Shamus Hurley-Langton put them in front, but the latter was sent to the sin bin just before half-time and Nick Tompkins capitalised to make it 19-19 at the break.

It remained nip and tuck as Prendergast went over for his second only for Rotimi Segun to find a swift reply.

Frawley was next to cross before Vaenuku grabbed his second but tries from Caolin Blade and Frawley’s second helped Connacht open up a 14-point gap.

That was reduced to nine when Elliot Daly scored Saracens’ sixth try following a yellow card for Prendergast but Owen Farrell missed the conversion to deny them a bonus point.