Scarlets rout Tigers
CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Scarlets put on a wonderful display of attacking rugby to dispatch Leicester Tigers 33-10 at the Parc y Scarlets and claim their first win this season.
After a tedious start in Llanelli, it was the home side who put the first points on the board through prop Rob Evans after he powered over from close range. Dan Jones was wide with his conversion attempt to keep the score at 5-0.
It did not take long for another home score with captain Ken Owens, who was playing in an unfamiliar role at No.8, bulldozing his way over the line for Scarlets’ second try with Jones successful from the kicking tee.
Evans added his second try of the evening after peeling off the back of a line-maul and crossing over in the corner. Jones slotted the conversion from out wide to stretch Scarlets’ lead.
A fantastic no-look pass from Kieron Fonotia to Johnny McNicholl ensured a try-scoring bonus point for the Welsh region, with Jones continuing his fine form off the tee with a kick from out wide.
Mike Williams was sent to the sin-bin for foul play after the hour mark and Scarlets took immediate advantage with wing Steff Evans scoring in the corner. Jones promoted the score with a successful kick from the touchline.
There were late tries from Will Evans and Mike Fitzgerald for Leicester but both conversion efforts were missed by replacement flyhalf Joe Ford.
Scarlets will face Racing 92 in Round Six, while Leicester host Ulster at Welford Road.
The scorers
For Scarlets:
Tries: R Evans 2, Owens, McNicholl, S Evans
Cons: D Jones 4
For Leicester Tigers:
Tries: W Evans, Fitzgerald
Yellow card: Mike Williams (Leicester Tigers, 62)
Teams
Scarlets: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Paul Asquith, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Ken Owens (captain), 7 Dan Davies, 6 Ed Kennedy, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Josh Helps, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Rob Evans.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Simon Gardiner, 19 Tom Price, 20 Josh Macleod, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Steff Hughes, 23 Ioan Nicholas.
Leicester Tigers: 15 George Worth, 14 Jonah Holmes, 13 Gareth Owen, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Jordan Olowofela, 10 Matt Toomua (captain), 9 Ben White, 8 Valentino Mapapalangi, 7 Will Evans, 6 Mike Williams, 5 Graham Kitchener, 4 Harry Wells, 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jake Kerr, 1 Greg Bateman.
Replacements: 16 Ross McMillan, 17 Facundo Gigena, 18 David Feao, 19 Mike Fitzgerald, 20 Brendon O’Connor, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Joe Ford, 23 Sam Aspland-Robinson.
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant referees: Thomas Charabas (France), Maxime Chalon (France)
TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)
Source: @ChampionsCup
