The champions start at home with new boys the Southern Kings heading to Parc y Scarlets for their debut in the newly expanded tournament. Bristol may have dropped out of the top-flight in English rugby, but new head coach Pat Lam has recruited strongly and they put up a great fight.
All their points came from players with Welsh connections. Swansea-born England Under 18 and Under 20 international Mat Protheroe scored three tries on the wing and former Scarlets and Wales Under 20 flanker Dan Thomas got their fourth try. Three of the scores were converted by another ex-Scarlet, Jordan Williams.
The home scored all their points in the first half as they led 26-12. New wing recruit Morgan Williams scored twice for the Scarlets and Dan Jones converted one in the opening period.
New Welsh internationals Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias and Steff Evans were joined by fellow summer tourists Gareth Davies and Aaron Shingler in joining the action for the second half. Two more of the heroes of the PRO12 final win in Dublin, Tadhg Beirne and Johnny Mcnicholl, also got on the field.
There were missed chances for both sides at the start of the second half. Former England wing Tom Varndell just fumbled a pin-point cross-kick as he stretched for the line and then Scarlets scrum half Gareth Davies lost the ball in the tackle as he headed for the line in a typical blindside raid from a scrum.
Tries from Elias and Evans, both of which Rhys Patchell converted, got the Scarlets back on level terms at 26-26 and it was Patchell who scampered away for his side’s fifth and final try to steal victory in the last minute. He also added the conversion as the champions made it two out of two in their pre-season following their 82-12 victory over Scarlets Premiership Select in Llandovery.
