Dragons secured a Welsh derby win in the United Rugby Championship (URC), beating Scarlets 38-26 in a thrilling 10-try encounter at Rodney Parade. Two tries from Wales hooker Elliot Dee, and further scores from wing Anzelo Tuitavuki, props Rodrigo Martinez and Rob Hunt and full-back Huw Anderson sealed the six-try success. Scarlets responded with two tries from wing Macs Page and scores from replacements Sam O'Connor and Ioan Jones. The match was played in front of a raucous crowd of 7,163 that created a memorable occasion in Newport. Dragons are unbeaten, following up the opening weekend draw with Benetton, while Scarlets, who are missing influential injured back-row duo Taine Plumtree and Fletcher Anderson, have suffered two derby defeats, having also lost at home to Cardiff.
Wales fly-half Sam Costelow was among five personnel changes from the Scarlets team that lost 21-15 to Cardiff, with Wales props Kemsley Mathias and Harri O'Connor, lock Alex Groves and flanker Dan Davis starting. Dragons co-captain Ben Carter returned to lead the side that drew 19-19 with Benetton, but fellow skipper Angus O'Brien was still missing. Rhodri Williams led the side out on his 150th Dragons appearance against his former team.
The home side brought on Wales props Rhodri Jones and Dillon Lewis as the duo forced a scrum penalty. Dragons flanker Thomas Young was held up over the line but it was Anderson who scored the bonus-point try in the right-hand corner to give the Dragons the advantage once more. Rio Dyer produced an excellent break, and Scarlets captain Josh Macleod could only stop the momentum with a professional foul.
Quelle: BBC Sport · Zusammengefasst von HeadlinesBriefing