Scarlets survive late scare from Vannes to progress in Challenge Cup
The Scarlets claimed a 38-28 bonus-point victory over Vannes in Llanelli to progress into the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup.
Dwayne Peel's side are safely into the round of 16 but will have to wait until Sunday afternoon to see if they have done enough to claim a home tie. The Welsh club blew Vannes away in the first-half with a terrific individual performance from player of the match Josh Macleod but took their foot off the gas after the break.
A brace of tries from Macleod along with scores from Blair Murray, Tom Rogers and Marnus Van der Merwe fired the Scarlets into the knockout stages. Romaric Camou, Matthieu Uhila, Paul Surano and Leon Boulier scored tries for Vannes.
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The Scarlets finally turned pressure into further points as Macleod touched down for their second try courtesy of a well-worked driving lineout. Wales squad member Blair Murray reminded everyone why Warren Gatland had included him in his Six Nations squad.
The 23-year-old wing received the ball just inside the Vannes half before showing tremendous pace and footwork to beat three defenders for a stunning try. As if things couldn't get any worse for Vannes they were temporarily reduced to 14 men when wing Salesi Rayasi got shown a yellow card for deliberately knocking the ball forward to prevent the Scarlets making the most of an overlap.
And the Scarlets made the most of their numerical advantage when Gareth Davies hit a perfect line off a Ioan Lloyd pass to run in unopposed from 35 metres out. The Scarlets' fifth try is an early contender for try of the tournament.
Murray received the ball in space before dancing his way 60 metres upfield before offloading to Tom Rogers for a try which Lloyd converted to give the hosts an unassailable 31-0 lead at the interval. To their credit Vannes refused to throw in the towel and came close to scoring their first try but were held up over the line.
Murray showed his attacking brilliance in the first-half but there are some question marks over his defence as the wing fell off a one-on-one tackle on his opposite number Romaric Camou who crossed at the corner. But the Scarlets hit straight back as South African hooker Marnus van der Merwe powered his way over from short-range.
Vannes fought hard to stay in the game and claimed a second try when second-row Matthieu Uhila scored at the corner. And the French club weren't finished yet as full-back Paul Surano hit a good angle to slice open the Scarlets defence to score their third try.
Vannes had the last laugh as Boulier powered over for their fourth try but the Scarlets had done just enough.
