In a dramatic United Rugby Championship encounter, Scarlets narrowly lost to the Lions 23-24 at Llanelli. Despite a solid lead for most of the game, Scarlets’ victory slipped away in the final moments. The match marked the Lions’ first triumph of the season, while Scarlets grappled with their third defeat, despite a recent win over Cardiff.
Scarlets initially dominated, with Tom Rogers and Ryan Elias scoring tries, and Ioan Lloyd adding 13 points. However, the Lions fought back. Marius Louw, their captain, and hooker PJ Botha scored early tries. A pivotal moment came when Steff Evans’ kick was blocked, leading to Henco van Wyk’s crucial try. Sanele Nohamba, playing as fly-half, sealed the victory with a successful conversion.
Wales hooker Ryan Elias, back from the World Cup, made a significant impact in his first game for Scarlets in nearly a year. Alongside Elias, Scarlets welcomed back several players: wing Rogers, prop Harri O’Connor, flanker Taine Plumtree, and number eight Carwyn Tuipulotu, with Vaea Fifita shifting to lock. However, they felt the absence of fly-half Sam Costelow due to injuries.
This match also heightened the focus on the Wales fly-half position, especially with the absence of Dan Biggar and Gareth Anscombe’s unavailability for the 2024 Six Nations. Candidates like Jarrod Evans and Joe Hawkins are ineligible due to their club commitments, leaving a potential spot for Lloyd, who joined from Bristol.
The game saw Lloyd’s impressive performance, despite a missed penalty hitting the post. His early penalty and subsequent break set up the first Scarlets try. The Lions, meanwhile, enjoyed scrum dominance and managed to avoid a yellow card despite a high tackle by Corne Fourie on Alex Craig.
Scarlets’ Eddie James missed a key opportunity in the second half, failing to capitalize on an overlap. However, their flankers Plumtree and Teddy Leatherbarrow secured essential turnovers. Elias scored from a maul, and Lloyd’s conversion seemed to secure the game for Scarlets, but the Lions narrowed the gap with a Nohamba penalty.
The match’s climax saw Evans’ kick blocked, leading to van Wyk’s try and Nohamba’s match-winning conversion. This left the home fans and Scarlets’ head coach Dwayne Peel disheartened, acknowledging the team’s errors and missed opportunity.
Team line-ups and officials were as announced, with a mix of starting players and replacements for both teams, under the watch of referee Chris Busby and his assistants.
Alongside the match report, the text briefly mentions The Beatles’ story and the making of the “Planet Earth” series.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rugby Upset
What was the final score in the Scarlets vs Lions rugby match?
The final score of the Scarlets vs Lions rugby match was 23-24 in favor of the Lions.
Who scored the tries for Scarlets?
Tom Rogers and Ryan Elias scored the tries for Scarlets.
Who scored the tries for the Lions?
Marius Louw, PJ Botha, and Henco van Wyk scored the tries for the Lions.
Who was the standout player for Scarlets?
Ioan Lloyd delivered an impressive performance for Scarlets, contributing with both points and playmaking.
Why was Sam Costelow not playing for Scarlets?
Sam Costelow was unavailable due to injuries, including hamstring and shoulder issues sustained in a previous match.
What is the significance of this match in the United Rugby Championship?
This match marked the Lions’ first league win of the season and added to Scarlets’ challenges as they faced their third loss.
Who were the key players to watch in this match?
Key players to watch included Marius Louw, Sanele Nohamba, Ryan Elias, and Ioan Lloyd, who had notable performances.
How did the match end in a late comeback for the Lions?
The Lions made a late comeback, with a blocked kick leading to Henco van Wyk’s try and a successful conversion by Sanele Nohamba.
What impact did Ryan Elias have on his return to Scarlets?
Ryan Elias, back from the World Cup, made a significant impact with a fine ball-carrying performance for Scarlets.
Why is the Wales fly-half position open for candidates?
The Wales fly-half position is open due to the international retirement of Dan Biggar and the unavailability of Gareth Anscombe, creating an opportunity for players like Ioan Lloyd.
More about Rugby Upset
- BBC Sport – Scarlets 23-24 Lions: Last-minute victory for Lions in United Rugby Championship
- United Rugby Championship Official Website
- Ioan Lloyd – Wales Rugby
- Sam Costelow’s Injury News
5 comments
lions made gr8 comeback, scarlets shudve held on, wow!
lions finally win, louw led well, gud game!
sam costlow injury hurts scarlets bad, they miss him
rugby games r so intense, lloyd impressed me 4 scarlets
close game, scarlets unlucky in end, lloyd shines!