| Scarlets (5) 5 |
| Try: S Evans |
| Leinster (14) 35 |
| Tries: Penalty tries 2 by Cosgrave Russell, Clarkson, Clarkson Cons: R Byrne 3 |
Leinster, unbeaten United Rugby Championship champions, increased their lead at top of table with victory at the sorry Scarlets.
Chris Cosgrave’s, Rob Russell’s and Thomas Clarkson’s tries as well two penalty tries secured a seventh consecutive victory.
Scarlets managed only a first-half attempt through centre Steff Evans.
Dwayne Peat, Scarlets’ coach, feels the pressure. Peel has managed only one win from seven matches in the first block.
Scarlets have lost five games, drawn one, and won a single victory against Zebre at bottom.
It is concerning that five of the seven first-round games were played at Parc y Scarlets. There are only four home league matches left this season.
Indiscipline was a frequent theme. Scarlets suffered three more sin-bins from Leinster, who now leads Ulster 12 points.
The total now stands at nine yellow cards and two Reds for the seven opening games of the season.
The insipid Leinster display was also marked by a misfiring line out and a lacklustre attack.
Now Scarlets have a month to heal before they travel to South Africa for their two away games against Stormers, Lions.
Llanelli defeated the All Blacks fifty years ago, but Parc y Scarlets didn’t celebrate the victory.
Shadow sides
Both sides lost some players through injuries and international commitments. However, Leinster proved to be the stronger team.
Leinster made 11 modifications, including Rhys Ruddock’s re-election as skipper. There were 17 players in the initial Irish national squad.
Scarlets’ unavailability, which included injury, suspension, and international commitments was greater than 20.
They included the suspended duo Sam Lousi and Vaea Fifita and injured players Wyn Jones, Scott Williams, Blade Thomson, Johnny Williams, Ioan Nicholas, Tomás Lezana, Phil Price, Lewis Rawlins, Joe Roberts, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Callum Williams, Samson Lee and Griff Evans.
Ryan Elias (Ken Owens), Josh Macleod, Sam Costelow, Dane Blacker, Leigh Halfpenny, Kieran Hardy, and Sam Costelow were on international duty.
Scarlets welcomed back Tom Rogers from Wales and Aaron Shingler, while Gareth Davies, the scrum-half, was back after being left out of Wales. Dan Jones, flyhalf, and Daf Hughes, hooker also began.
Scarlets were unable to score a try in the first 40 seconds. Shingler was unable to get the kick-off. Leinster capitalized with a well-worked attempt from a line out for Cosgrave to cross. Ross Byrne converted.
Scarlets responded by trying for centre Evans. He was the recipient of a long pass by captain Jonathan Davies.
After following up his own kick, Leinster’s second attempt was scored by wing Russell.
After fighting for possession, Hooker John McKee created the score. Russell touched down at half-time with 14-5 lead.
Scarlets’ line-out continued to be faulty in the second-half, while Leinster’s set-piece effectively led Clarkson to a third try at prop Clarkson, following a clinical drive.
Ryan Conbeer and Johnny McNicholl showed that the home side had some counter-attacking intent. Evans got a remarkable length-of field try from Cosgrave.
The hosts were reduced to just 13 men by Scarlets’ indiscretion, and fly-half Dan Jones was sent off. McNicholl was also sent off.
Jones was sanctioned with a suspension for persistent offside offenses, while McNicholl’s intentional knock-on resulted in a penalty attempt which earned Leinster a bonus-point score.
Michael Milne, the replacement Leinster player, was sent to the yellow card. Gareth Davies was the next Scarlets’ player to go to the sin-bin to receive a professional foul. Leinster had scored a second penalty try.
It concluded another terrible evening for Peel, Scarlets, currently ranked 15th with Zebre below.
Dwayne Pear is Scarlets’ coach “We spoke with the group, and before the game we asked them for a disruption in the rhythm against Leinster. For large parts, physicality-wise, we were very good.
“I believe that we were able to convert 10 line breaks into three in our favor. Sometimes, inaccuracy cost us dearly. We got behind them, but we didn’t finish. There were also a couple of set-piece mistakes.
“Some inaccuracy caused pressure and resulted in penalties. We must be more disciplined. We have two weeks to reflect on this and then work on it.
“From an effort standpoint, I thought we were pretty strong and Leinster would likely have thought that our physicality was great. We were incorrect and they were exact which is what made them the team they have become.
Leinster captain Rhys Ruddock: “We are delighted. It was going to be quite a challenge. We knew Scarlets would be a real challenge and they proved it.
“We may have lacked some clinical finishing in the first part, but overall we are satisfied with the performance.”
Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl, Tom Rogers, Steff Davies, Jonathan Davies (capt), Ryan Conbeer, Gareth Davies, Steff Thomas; Steff Thomas; Steff Thomas; Harri O’Connor, Jac Price; Tom Price; Aaron Shingler; Dan Thomas; Sione Kalamafoni
Replacements: Shaun Evans and Kemsley Mathias, WillGriff Johns, Morgan Jones, Iwan shenton, Archie Hughes and Rhys Patchell, Corey Baldwin
Leinster: Chris Cosgrave, Rob Russell, Liam Turner and Charlie Ngatai; Dave Kearney, Ross Byrne and Luke McGrath; Ed Byrne; John McKee, Thomas Clarkson; Ross Molony; Jason Jenkins, Rhys Ruddock, Scott Penny, Max Deegan.
Replacements: Tadgh McElroy. Michael Milne. Vakhtang Abdaladze. Brian Deeny. Martin Moloney. Nick McCarthy. Charlie Tector. Ben Brownlee.
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant referees: Adam Jones & Simon Mills (WRU)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)