The Scarlets’ chances of retaining their Celtic League title were hanging by a thread last night after their third loss in the first five games of the season. The Ospreys are flying high and Scarlets coach Gareth Jenkins’ side chances of catching them were hit further when in-form centre Matthew Watkins joined a lengthy injury list with a leg problem last night.
The fact he had to be replaced by a scrum-half – albeit a very good one in Dwayne Peel – speaks volumes for the Scarlets’ current predicament. Munster coach Alan Gaffney made nine changes as he sought his first win of the season, with Test halves Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer expected to kick-start the province’s Celtic League campaign, but it was the home side’s lineout that caused the Scarlets the most problems.
O’Gara had the chance to open the scoring in the 16th minute after some good work from hooker Frankie Sheahan, but the usually deadly goal-kicker’s 35-metre attempt drifted wide, and Munster were denied again seconds later when Scarlets No 8 Andy Powell stopped fullback Christian Cullen a metre from the try-line.
The Scarlets were further hit in the 18th minute when Watkins left the field with a leg problem, and their injury woes among the three-quarters were highlighted when he had to be replaced by Test scrum-half Peel, with Mike Phillips moving to the wing and Tal Selley taking Watkins’ place in the centres.
The scoreboard attendants were finally woken from their slumber in the 26th minute as the power of the
Things began looking desperate for the visitors when veteran prop John Davies was yellow-carded for persistent infringements at scrum-time, but Simon Easterby’s men decided attack was the best form of defence and bravely pressed for an equaliser. It didn’t come, but fly-half Gareth Bowen managed to narrow the gap with a beautifully struck penalty goal, but missed a second attempt as his side went into the halftime break at 3-5 down.
Recalled
The tackle infuriated the
To their credit, the Scarlets refused to lie down and a Tal Selley burst gave fullback Garan Evans the space to dive over in the corner to narrow the margin to 19-8 with 10 minutes left on the clock. The Scarlets made things interesting with a try to makeshift winger Phillips in the 81st minute after a fine blindside break, and although they ran out of time to close the gap, the well-taken five-pointer gave them a bonus point for finishing within seven points of the winners.
Scarlets: Tries – G Evans, M Phillips; Pen – G Bowen. Halftime:
Munster: C Cullen; J Kelly, M Mullins, R
Unused replacements: G McIlwham, J Flannery, M Prendergast, P Burke
Scarlets: G Evans; A Havili, M Watkins (D Peel 18), M Taylor, T Selley; G Bowen (A Thomas 64), M Phillips; I Thomas, M Rees, J Davies (P John 66), V Cooper, A Jones (C Wyatt 50), S Easterby (capt), G Thomas, A Powell (P John 32-40)
Unused replacements: C Hawkins, J Mills, R Jones
Yellow card: J Davies (Scarlets)
Referee: Malcolm Changleng (