The Scarlets were far better than the 36-19 scoreline in Dublin would suggest
Fletcher Anderson carries against Leinster(Image: Huw Evans Agency)
The Scarlets gave a good account of themselves against a strong Leinster side, going down 36-19 to the defending champions in Dublin.
The Irish province were rusty for much of the evening, but the final scoreline perhaps didn’t reflect just how many problems the Scarlets caused the home side in the first-half. Coming away from Ireland empty-handed seemed cruel on Nigel Davies’ side, with a bonus point agonisingly out of reach.
Having billed this one as an international Test in the week, the early exchanges suggested that Leinster’s international stars might win at a canter.
However, the Scarlets pack took umbrage to that – with captain Fletcher Anderson narrowly denied an opening try as they took the fight to the home side.
As the Irish province’s discipline faltered, the Scarlets were on top. However, it appeared they would have little to show for it.
Yet, towards the end of the first quarter, they finally got their reward.
On a penalty advantage, Johnny Williams somehow put delicately grubbered through for centre partner Joe Roberts to score.
It was a double-whammy for the Scarlets, with Leinster finally receiving a yellow card in the process – with Brian Deeny sent to the sin-bin.
With confidence growing, the Scarlets started to push the envelope – throwing offloads and keeping the ball alive.
In the end, they probably pushed the pace a little too much – with try-scorer Roberts yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on.
The Scarlets continued to shoot themselves in the foot, with Jarrod Taylor joining Roberts on the sideline after a daft yellow card for some cynical play at the breakdown.
With it now 15 against 13, Leinster took advantage immediately – with Garry Ringrose crossing.
With the Irish province having been played back into the match thanks to Scarlets’ indiscipline, the defending champions didn’t need a second invitation to move ahead.
Their next clearcut chance resulted in a second score – with wing Joshua Kenny diving over to hand Leinster the lead at the break.
All the effort of the first-half was wiped out within five minutes of the restart.
A relentless attacking set saw Tommy O’Brien cross out wide, before the wing went over for a second moments later after a lost Scarlets lineout.
The west Walians continued to plug away though, with a Leinster knock-on curtailing one particular attack..
While that ended with a scrum instead of a penalty, the Scarlets still capitalised. Fletcher Anderson carried well from the base, before the ball was spread out to Tom Rogers on the wing to score.
The comeback was short-lived, though. Max Deegan was deemed to have been held-up in the on-field decision, but the TMO overturned the call to award Leinster their fifth try.
The Scarlets continued to play – with Archie Hughes’ snipe finished off by second-row Max Douglas.
Leinster would score again, with Kenny grabbing his second out wide.
Centre Williams looked set to seal a four-try bonus point after a delightful offload by Anderson, but he was dragged down just short.
Here’s how the Scarlets players rated…
15. Blair Murray – 7
Always a running threat from deep. When the Scarlets pushed the pace, he looked electric. One particular carry in the second-half showed just elusive he can be.
Lovely long pass for the Scarlets’ second try.
14. Tom Rogers – 7
Dealt with a kick behind well early on, before winning a jackal penalty after Leinster tried to run it from deep. Try was a walk-in, but deserved.
One of his last acts, hobbling off after an hour.
13. Joe Roberts – 8
Scarlets used him as an option on the right wing for kick-passes early on and got some good change out of it. Deserved his early try. A willing and varied carrier.
Sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on as Leinster countered – a bit unlucky on that front, as Garry Ringrose looked to be offside in the build-up to the turnover. Even with the card, maybe the pick of the Scarlets’ backs.
12. Johnny Williams – 7
Nice chop tackle for Rogers’ jackal penalty. Crucial to the Scarlets’ early efforts with his distribution skills. Delightful kick for the Scarlets’ first. Offloads started to flow freely as the confidence grew.
Influence probably waned as Leinster took hold. Unlucky not to score at the end.
11. Ellis Mee – 6
Some strong takes in the air and some good touches. Replaced after 36 minutes.
10. Joe Hawkins – 7
Pulled the strings nicely when the Scarlets were on top, with his kicking finding space out wide. Decent outing at fly-half, given he hasn’t started there in two-and-a-half months.
9. Dane Blacker – 6
Few loose kicks and nervy moments. But, on the whole, got his forwards causing problems around the fringes with sharp delivery.
1. Kemsley Mathias – 7
Strong carrying performance from the loosehead. Got through a similar number of tackles. Scrum, by and large, was solid enough as he went over an hour.
2. Harry Thomas – 6
If you thought the young hooker would be overawed against this Leinster team in his second league start, you never heard him speak after Wales U20s toppled England last year.
Cares little for favourites tags and plays like it. However, while he’s a fearless young talent, the lineout did falter at times.
3. Henry Thomas – 6
Brought into the starting side at late notice. Scrum held up well until it was driven off its own feed just before half-time. But solid enough.
4. Sam Lousi – 7
Quietly effective throughout. Loved it early on when the Scarlets pushed the offload button. Denied a jackal turnover late on with an odd officiating call.
5. Max Douglas – 8
Good early hit to force a turnover in his own 22. Some strong hits and carries. Probably a bit too ambitious going for a strip on Dan Sheehan – with the hooker wriggling free to set up Tommy O’Brien’s score.
Deserved his score.
6. Jarrod Taylor – 7
A daft yellow that signalled the end of the Scarlets’ early dominance. Frustrating as he was pretty good beyond that silly moment, getting through a fair bit of work.
7. Dan Davis – 7
Big breakdown turnover in the Leinster 22. Industrious shift both sides of the ball.
8. Fletcher Anderson – 9
Just a relentless carrier. Makes three metres where most would make one. Then does it again and again. Over 20 carries on the night and double figures for tackles too.
Unreal interception on his own line when Leinster looked likely to score. Denied a try by the finest of margins.
Just playing a different game at times. Even in a losing cause, he was probably the best player on the pitch.
You wouldn’t be surprised to learn he was driving the team bus in Dublin as well.
Replacements:
16. George Roberts – 5
The Dragons hooker – having joined on loan this week – was denied a try soon after coming on, being held up over the line. Blotted his copybook by taking out Jamison Gibson-Park in the air after his lineout was picked off.
Improved as he went on, as you’d expect after being parachuted in.
17. Sam O’Connor – 5
Scrum coughed up a free-kick following his introduction.
18. Harri O’Connor – 5
Came into the squad at very late notice – hence the number ’39’ on his back. Held up the scrum long enough for the Scarlets to score their second.
19. Jake Ball – N/A
On for the final few minutes. No real chance to make an impression.
20. Tristan Davies – 6
On for the final 10 minutes. Got involved nicely in that time.
21. Archie Hughes – 6
Delivery was a little stilted at times. But eye for the gap created Douglas’ score.
22. Ioan Jones – 5
Brought on for Rogers. Little opportunity to do much.
23. Macs Page – 5
Brushed off early in the second-half at the start of the set that resulted in Leinster’s third try. Few opportunities with ball in hand.
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