SCARLETS: Physical Scarlets edged out by powerful Saracens in final warm-up

The Scarlets signed off their pre-season with a 26-14 defeat to a powerful, full-strength Saracens on a wet night at Parc y Scarlets, but director of rugby Nigel Davies took plenty from a bruising contest.

The result leaves the region beaten in two of their three warm-ups, after the heavy loss to the Dragons and the earlier win at Exeter, but Davies was encouraged by the physical intent shown against one of the toughest sides in the British game a week out from the United Rugby Championship opener against Cardiff.

The hosts struck first, Blair Murray setting up Wales team-mate Eddie James to dive over at the posts. Saracens hit back through centre Olly Hartley and hooker Eoghan Clarke to lead 14-7 at the break after an evenly contested first half.

The visitors pulled clear six minutes after the restart through England international George Martin, who finished a clever tap-penalty move, before replacement Sione Vae’nuku added a decisive fourth.

The Scarlets finished strongly and were rewarded with a consolation try for prop Josh Morse, but it was a tough night against opponents Davies rated among the most physical in the UK.

‘Our boys stood up to it’

“I thought we brought a real intensity,” said Davies. “Saracens are one of the toughest teams to play against physically in the UK. They bully sides, and our boys stood up to it.

“I was really happy with the physical intent, and that was one of the main themes going into this game. We wanted to match them in that area.”

The set piece pleased him most.

“I thought our scrum took another step forward. It has been good in pre-season, we have put a lot of work into it,” he said.

“Conditions weren’t great, but we can start to see how dangerous we look when we get half-chances and build the attacking game we are looking to do. Large parts of our defence were good, but a couple of other areas weren’t so good. We will take a lot out of that game.”

Youngsters step up

Davies again handed opportunities to his emerging players, and singled out two.

“There were lots of young players out there again. I thought Osian Williams, a young Welsh back-rower who has really stepped up in pre-season, was fantastic. Will Evans as well,” he said.

“What an experience for two youngsters playing against quality opposition, and they came through really strong.”

He was mindful, too, of the experience still to return.

“You have to remember we still have the likes of Taine Plumtree, Fletch Anderson, Cullen Grace and a few other forwards to come into that pack to elevate it again,” he said.

“We want to give opportunities and create depth. That was part of the rationale of these pre-season games, so we can go into the season with real competition for places.”

Davies said he was hopeful that number eight Fletcher Anderson, who missed pre-season through injury, would be fit for Saturday’s visit of Cardiff.

Author

Richard Bond

Swansea-based sports journalist.
Twitter: @RichBond00
Email: RichardBond@swanseabaynews.com