Leicester Tigers suffered as fourth defeat in the pool stages of the Heineken Champions Cup on Saturday evening as Scarlets recorded a 33-10 victory in Llanelli.
The result did not affect potential qualification for the knockout stages as Ulster’s earlier win over Racing in Belfast had ensured they were both out of reach in Pool 4, but it was the Welsh hosts who dominated as they led by 33 points before Tigers got on the scoresheet.
Scores for prop Rob Evans and then skipper Ken Owens gave the Scarlets a 12-0 lead at the break and two more in the opening 10 minutes of the second half put the game out of reach before they added a fifth.
Will Evans and then Mike Fitzgerald dotted down to give Tigers some reward for a tough day’s work at at Parc y Scarlets.
Scarlets, who had a run of 26 wins at home before defeat by Cardiff Blues at Christmas, named a team including eight Wales internationals though they again had to include Lions hooker Owens as an emergency No8 with so many back-rowers out of action.
Matt Toomua led Tigers out and lined up at fly-half as head coach Geordan Murphy made a number of changes from the team that recorded a bonus-point win over Gloucester on league duty a week earlier.
Scarlets got the game under way and Jonah Holmes, the Tigers’ Wales cap, was the first of the visitors to get a touch of the ball, setting up Ben White to kick back up to halfway.
But a scrappy and stop-start opening period – with free-kicks at three successive set-pieces setting the tone – remained locked at 0-0 until prop Evans provided the opening points on 25 minutes.
Both teams had chances to work up to the danger zone from set-pieces before losing control and Kyle Eastmond was in the thick of the defensive work in the Tigers backline as their rivls looked to open up play.
A penalty against Holmes, coming through a ruck to play scrum-half Gareth Davies, led to the first score as the Scarlets set up a drive on the left and, when scrum-half Gareth Davies was denied by Harry Wells on the tryline, Evans had enough to reach out and dot down.
Dan Jones missed his conversion kick and Tigers quickly saw a chance of their own on the right but then lost ball in midfield.
Another penalty gave Scarlets a second chance on 35 minutes as skipper Owens drove his way over next to the posts. This time Jones added the conversion to make it 12-0.
A break from Greg Bateman, latching on to a Wells turnover, looked promising for Tigers but he couldn’t find the support and Scarlets recovered to launch their own attack.
Quick hands from full-back Johnny McNicholl released Owens beyond the defensive line but George Worth stood his ground to bring him down and the half ended with Gareth Owen clearing the danger behind his own tryline as the Scarlets ended firmly on the front foot and with a 12-point lead.
Joe Ford joined the Tigers backline for the start of the second half, with Eastmond making way and Toomua reverting to a place at centre.
Lost ball in midfield, though, had Holmes chasing back towards his own line and, although he recovered ball, Tigers were whistled at the ruck and Scarlets went for the corner. The whistle blew again as they set up a drive, this time for obstruction, and Tigers kicked clear.
Ross McMillan replaced Jake Kerr in the front row as Tigers defended again, but Scarlets were not about to let their rivals off the hook as they kept their patience on the ball and Evans peeled off from the maul to score his second of the day .
Fly-half Jones made it 19-0 with the conversion from wide on the left and within two minutes he was called to kick again full-back McNicholl capitalised on a gap in the defence and a run from Hadleigh Parkes to run in the bonus-point score.
Tigers were back on the defensive after losing ball near halfway and had to face up to a Scarlets scrum 20 metres out, though finally took some relief as referee Mathieu Raynal signalled a penalty in the visitors’ favour.
Scarlets kept Tigers totally inside their own half, running back any loose ball and pushing penalties into the corners to keep up the pressure. After a lengthy phase of ball in the forwards just a few metres out, Mike Williams was yellow-carded for a no-arms tackle.
The home side’s response was to run in a fifth try in the left-hand corner for Steff Evans, though only after the referee had checked the grounding as Ben White made the covering tackle. Jones judged jhis conversion kick to perfection as the score reached 33-0 weiyh 15 miniutes left on the clock.
Sam Aspland-Robinson made his Tigers debut as a replacement for Gareth Owen and his first involvement was to win turnover ball on the left wing which led to a score in the opposite corner.
Jordan Olowofela made the break from halfway as Tigers switched play and, although he was brought down, Tigers quickly picked up play in support and Evans dived over to score. Joe Ford was off-target with the conversion from out wide.
Williams returned and almost provided a second score as he drove the forward pack at a lineout on the left and it required a tackle from Ioan Nicholas to keep out Brendon O’Connor just a couple of metres short of the corner.
Tigers still had penalty advantage and tried again in a similar spot, with Mike Fitzgerald credited with the try from close range. Ford struck the post with his conversion attempt as the game approached a close.
Commentary
80
Thank You
To everyone in the Tigers Family who made the trip down to Scarlets thank you for your support this evening and we hope you have a safe journey home.
We will see you next week for our home fixture and Round 6 match against Ulster at Welford Road next Saturday.
FULL-TIME
Scarlets 33 Tigers 10
80
Tigers Ball
Tigers get the ball from the scrum and look to run it out of our 22 but it's going from one touch to the other before a kick ahead is run into touch to end the game.
80
Last Play
The clock has hit 80 minutes as we have reset scrums to wind down the end of the game.
78
All Scarlets
It's all Scarlets from the restart as they look for more points in the last few minutes and attack the Tigers 22 but there's knock-on from a big tackle from Toomua to give Scarlets a scrum just inside our 22.
77
Conversion Missed
Joe Ford hits the right hand post so the score is 33-10 after 77 minutes.
TRY for Tigers
The referee goes to the TMO but the try is awarded and we think it's Mike Fitzgerald who dotted down.
76
Tigers Try?
Tigers with the ball from the lineout with a handful of phases before they think they have gone over for the try but the referee calls in the TMO to check for a try...
Tigers Replacement
Ben Youngs replaces Ben White.
75
Tigers Attack
Tigers win the ball at the lineout and penalty advantage as we try to work the ball out wide but as the ball comes back Brendon O'Connor is pushed into touch so we lineout again.
73
All Tigers
It's all Tigers from the scrum as we get the ball out work back up into Scarlets half with some good runs from replacement Sam Aspland-Robinson and good handling.
Tigers win a penalty and kick to touch for a lineout inside Scarlets 22.
70
Good Work
It's a good scrum from Tigers with a man down and good defence as Scarlets get the ball out wide and come back again to spread Tigers but Scarlets knock-on on the wing to give Tigers a scrum on our 22.
Tigers Replacement
Brendon O'Connor replaces Valentino Mapapalangi.
69
What a Run
Tigers are back in attack from the restart and Mapapalanig goes for a great run knocking down defenders on the far wing before being brought down on Scarlets 10 metre line.
Tigers spread the ball wide and back across the field but are penalised at the breakdown and it's Scarlets scrum on their 10 metre line.
68
Missed Conversion
Joe Ford is just wide with the conversion so the score is 33-5 after 67 minutes.
TRY for Tigers
Jordan Olowofela's run down the far wing puts Tigers on the front foot and into Scarlets 22 and with some quick ball it's just a few phases before Will Evans dives over for Tigers first try.
66
Quick Ball
Tigers win the ball back as it goes loose from Scarlets on half-way following the kick-off and the ball goes wide to Jordan Olowofela who shows his pace to make it up into the Scarets 22.
Scarlets Replacement
Steff Hughes replaces Dan Jones.
Conversion for Scarlets
Dan Jones adds the conversion for Scarlets to make it 33-0 after 64 minutes.
Try for Scarlets
Scarlets go wide with the ball from the scrum and use the extra man from Tigers yellow card as Stef Evans goes over in the far corner.
There is a check with the TMO for grounding but the try is awarded.
Yellow Card for Tigers
Mike Williams is shown a yellow card for the no-arms tackle as Scarlets opt for a scrum.
62
Good Defence
Tigers look to keep Scarlets out as they create the driving maul from the lineout but Scarlets run the ball off the back and build phases working towards the Tigers posts before the referee blows for a no-arms tackle.
Tigers REplacement
Joe Heyes is replaced by David Feao.
60
SIde to Side
Tigers defend Scarlets from the lineout as the ball goes from one touch line to the other before Scarlets win a penalty at the breakdown and kick for another lineout in Tigers 22.
59
Clearing our lines
Tigers with a few phases from the scrum before Ben White clears the ball to touch for a lineout just inside our half.
Tigers Replacement
Mike Fitzgerald replaces Harry Wells.
58
Turnover Ball
Tigers win the ball at the lineout and build some phases to try to get out of our 22 but Jordan Olowofela is wrapped up.
The referee calls us back for a knock-on and Tigers have the scrum on our 22.
Tigers Replacement
Ficundo Gigena replaces Greg Bateman.
56
Tigers Penalised
Tigers chip ahead but Scarlets return the kick and as Tigers run it back are penalised at the breakdown and Scarlets kick for the lineout on Tigers 22.
55
Tigers Attack
Tigers pass it back from the restart and work the phases up into the Scarlets half.
54
Messy ball
Tigers win the ball at the lineout but as Tigers clear Scarlets find space on the wing to run it back, there's a kick ahead but Jonah sees it over the line for a 22 kick-off.
53
Tigers Ball
Tigers win a penalty at the scrum and kick to touch for a lineout on our 10 metre line.
52
Another End to End restart
Tigers with the restart but as Scarlets kicked ahead and Tigers attack the ball goes loose.
Scarlets chip ahead and Tigers recover the ball but are penalised at the breakdown giving Scarlets a scrum inside our 22.
Conversion for Scarlets
Dan Jones adds the conversion to make it 26-0 after 50 minutes.
Try for Scarlets
Confusion from the kick-off as after a few phases a high ball is blown for a penalty to Scarlets and they go quick, getting the ball out to the wing and up into Tigers 22 and from there a few phases and running around in the midfield, Johnny McNicholl finds a gap to run in for the try.
Scarlets Conversion
Dan Jones adds the conversion to make it 19-0 after 48 minutes.
Try for Scarlets
Scarlets create the driving maul from the lineout and push towards the line before prop Rob Evans breaks away and dives his way over the line for the try.
Tigers Replacement
Ross McMillan replaces Jake Kerr.
46
End to End again
Tigers get the ball at the lineout but the ball goes loose and Scarlets are back in attack, it looks like an intercept for Toomua but the referee calls him offside and Scarlets kick for another lineout in Tigers 22.
44
Messy Lineout
Tigers win a penalty at the lineout as Scarlets are penalised for crossing and Tigers kick for the lineout on the 22.
43
End to End
Tigers win the ball at the lineout and look to attack the 22 but there's a loose ball, Scarlets chip ahead and despite Jonah recovering the ball Tigers are penalised at the breakdown and Scarlets kick to the corner for the lineout.
41
Tigers Attack
Scarlets take the restart ball but kick it straight back to Tigers who are happy to build some phases.
As we attack and push into the Scarlets half we win a penalty for Scarlets being offside and kick to touchfor the lineout on Scarlets 22.
Tigers Replacement
Joe Ford has replaced Kyle Eastmond during half-time.
Second-half Kick-off
Here we go, half-time replacement Joe Ford kicks-off the second-half.
HALF-TIME
Scarlets 12 Tigers 0
40
What a Minute
Tigers look good in defence before Scarlets find space on the blindside and Ken Owens has the ball in space to run down the wing but the ball goes loose and Tigers recover it.
Tigers try to run the ball but it goes loose and Scarlets have one last attepmt at points before the end of the half but they chip it ahead and Jonah Holmes runs back to make sure it goes dead and end the first-half.
39
Intercept!
What a intercept and charge from Greg Bateman into the Scarlets half but as he offloads to the support runner Ben White Scarlets intercept and it's back in Tigers defence.
39
Tigers Defence
Tigers are tested again in defence as Scarlets get the ball and look to attack the Tigers half.
37
Tough Restart
It's Scarlets again from the restart as they kick ahead and the bounce of the ball gets the best of George Worth and goes into touch for a lineout outside Tigers 22.
Scarlets Conversion
Dan Jones lands the conversion to make it 12-0 after 37 minutes.
TrY for Scarlets
Scarlets win the ball at the lineout and build phase after phase as they push slowly towards the Tigers tryline, captain Ken Owens finds a gap and pushes his way over for the try.
34
Turnover Ball
Tigers work some phases and there's a good run from Tigers Joe Heyes up to the Scarlets 10 metre line but Tigers are penalised at the breakdown and Scarlets kick to touch for a lineout on the Tigers 22.
33
End to End Play
We have some reset scrums before Scarlets get the ball and pass it out wide but Jonah intercepts and Tigers are back in attack but there's a turnover on halfway and both teams test out some kicks before Tigers are back in attack inside the Scarlets half.
29
Intercept Ball
Tigers win the ball at the lineout and build a few phases but Scarlets intercept a ball and look to run it out of their 22.
Scarlets chip ahead but Tigers recover the ball and with a handful of phases look to get back into the Scarlets half but the ball is knocked-on for a Scarlets scrum just inside our half.
28
Tigers Ball
Tigers win the ball at the lineout and go to ground, Scarlets think they've won a turnover but the referee awards Tigers a penalty for Scarlets pulling down the maul.
We kick to touch for a lineout in Scarlets 22.
27
Tigers Lineout
Tigers with the restart but Scarlets kick straight to touch for a Tigers lineout just inside the Scarlets half.
26
Conversion Missed
Dan Jones pushes the Scarlets conversion wide so the score is 5-0 after 26 minutes.
TRY for Scarlets
Scarlets win the ball at the lineout and it's messy but they run at the Tigers line, Tigers defence looks good but Scarlets find a gap for prop Rob Evans to push his way over for the try.
24
Scarlets Ball
TMO shows the tackle but referee sees nothing to penalise, Scarlets have the penalty and kick for the lineout in Tigers 22.
24
TMO Check
Scarlets build a few more phases in attack and work in the Tigers half before winning a penalty at the breakdown. However the referee calls the TMO to check a possible late tackle against Tigers.
23
Turnover Ball
Tigers with a few phases but Scarlets win a turnover and quickly go wide running up the half-way line.
22
Scarlets Attack
Scarlets run the ball out of their 22 and look to push Tigers back but there's a loose ball in the midfield and Greg Bateman recovers to put Tigers back in attack just outside their 22.
20
Driving Maul
Tigers create the driving maul from the lineout and it moves towards the Scarlets line but goes to ground and the referee gives Scarlets the scrum.
20
Kick THrough
Tigers with phases and Toomua out on the opposite side tries a chip through for our winger to chase but Scarlets recover it.
Scarlets with the ball but the referee blows the whistle for a penalty to Tigers as Scarlets hold on to the ball in the tackle. Tigers kick to touch for the lineout in Scarlets 22.
18
Good Hands
Tigers get the ball out of the scrum and show good hands to get the ball wide, Toomua steps a Scarlets defenders and into the Scarlets 22 before a long pass out to Jonah who steps further towards the Scarlets line but is brought down.
Tigers now with the ball and looking to build phases into Scarlets 22.
17
Kicking Game
Tigers and Scarlets exchange some kicks as both teams look for territory but Tigers win a scrum as Scarlets knock-on on their 10 metre line.
16
Tigers Attack
Tigers get the ball out the scrum and build a few phases before kicking up field and put the pressure on Scarlets as they are pushed back to their 22.
14
Tigers Ball
Scarlets are penalised at the lineout for a not straight throw and Tigers opt for the scrum just inside Tigers half.
13
Free Kick
Tigers look good in the scrum and win a free kick, Tigers kick for touch and it's Scarlets lineout on the halfway.
13
Tigers Defend
Scarlets collect the ball at the lineout, the driving maul goes to ground but Scarlets build the phases are reach the Tigers 5 metre line but the ball is knocked-on by Tigers in a tackle giving Scarlets a scrum in front of the posts.
10
Scarlets Lineout
Scarlet opt to kick for touch and have the lineout inside the Tigers 22.
9
Strong Defence
Tigers showcase a strong defence as Scarlets mount up the phases but without making much ground as they try to build into Tigers half.
We look to have won the ball as Scarlets through a forward pass but the referee pulls back for a penalty to Scarlets as Tigers are penalised for not releasing in the tackle.
7
Free Kick
Scarlets win a free kick at the scrum and opt to kick down field, Tigers collect the ball in our half.
Ben White box kicks the ball back and now Tigers defence is tested Scarlets attack just inside our half.
4
Our Scrum, Your Scrum
Scarlets win the ball back at the scrum as Tigers knock-on the ball so we scrum again on the Scarlets 22 line.
3
Reset Scrums
We have some resets scrums before Tigers win a free kick. Toomua kicks up field and the chase is good into the Scarlets 22 and we win scrum as Scarlets knock-on in the ruck.
1
Free Kick
Tigers are penalised in the lineout for closing the gap giving Scarlets a free kick but they opt for the scrum.
0
Good Start
Tigers collect the kick-off and Ben White box kicks from the ruck to touch for the first lineout of the game, Scarlets will through in on the half-way line.
0
Kick-off
Scarlets Dan Jones kicks us off here in Wales.
0
Here come the Teams
Lead by the captains, the teams make their way out on to the pitch for kick-off.
Tigers will take the kick from left to right as we watch on from the press-box.
0
Not long to go
The teams are finishing up their warm-ups as we approach kick-off here at Parc y Scarlets.
Coaches View
Team Update
0
Welcome to Wales
We are in Wales for the Round 5 Heineken European Champions Cup match away against Scarlets.