Scarlets were staring down the barrel when trailing 21-7 at half-time against Benetton, but it was the home side's back three that swung the match. Full-back Blair Murray won the player of the match award after being a constant menace with ball in hand and coming up with a crucial interception. That try was followed by a stunning finish by Ellis Mee after a break by fellow wing Macs Page, who continued his strong start to the season. Sam Costelow's late penalty sealed the win.
Scarlets director of rugby Nigel Davies said the side wants to create an environment where its wingers get the ball. "Because of the errors in our game, we couldn't do that in the first half, but in the second half we did," he said. With Louis Rees-Zammit back on the wing and Josh Adams nearing a return for Cardiff, wide slots are being contested for the Wales squad. Page, an uncapped member of the touring party to Japan in 2025, is providing head coach Steve Tandy with a wildcard option. Davies described him as similar to Shane Williams, "all X-factor".
The driving line-out has become a major weapon, and line-outs were the source of seven of the 10 tries scored at Rodney Parade. Wales hooker Elliot Dee has been prominent, scoring a late leveller at Benetton and doubles against both Scarlets and Ospreys. New maul laws requiring defenders to detach and go to the back have also helped attacking sides.
Cardiff suffered an expected defeat to URC champions Leinster in Dublin despite a plucky effort. They now face a Champions Cup trip to Northampton, who scored 11 tries in a 71-48 win against Bath, before hosting Sharks in the URC within five days. Budget constraints, evident in Dublin, will test their squad depth, and they remain without Taulupe Faletau.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing