Hopes of an upset in the match would be disrupted by injuries to Henry Thomas and his tight-head replacement Harri O’Connor in the opening 10 minutes, which meant uncontested scrums. Scarlets would also lose Wales centre Eddie James in a physical contest.
A brace of tries for Andy Onyeama-Christie and scores for England hooker Theo Dan, Tom Wills, Fergus Burke and replacement Samson Ade Jimi inflicting the damage as Joe Shaw’s side took a hard-earned pre-season victory.
Scarlets had their moments and despite being under pressure for large periods they would make a contest on the game playing on the front foot with ball in hand.
Full back Ioan Lloyd would race over after Sam O’Connor who had replaced his brother crashed up the middle to put the away side on the front foot.
A penalty try after the Saracens defence had halted flanker Vaea Fifita illegally was reward for the west Wallian’s hard work and graft, whilst O’Connor himself rounded off an impressive display to get on the scoresheet.
All in all, moments would show promise and progress for the season but it would be a tough night for Peel’s side with the coach frustrated with the casualties of the evening.
“It was a really tough start in losing two tight heads,” said Peel. It was a real dampener for the start of our game.
“Given that, the performance for 50/60 minutes we were right in the game and we played some really good stuff from the front-foot.
“We carried explosively. We talked about playing with speed and we did that undoubted.
“Defensively we were at it. The signaling probably let us down a bit and gave them territory. We beat them in the line break stakes but we weren’t executing.
“We got held up three times and it was simple execution if i’m being honest with you and that’s something we need to look at.
“If you look at the score in reflection, it should have been a much closer game if we had executed those line breaks.
“I am though very proud of our togetherness in that game. Gabe McDonald who came on after Eddie James’ bump in the first-half played really well at centre and had to play 30 minutes as a loose forward.
“Jac Davies was out of position as a 13 and Carwyn Tuipulotu in the front row and we down to 14 for the last 11/12 minutes. It was carnage in terms of our replacements and our injuries.
“It’s such a disappointing game from an injury perspective going into a new season and we’ve picked up a couple of nasty ones today.
“The medics will have to take a look at that and will have to inform and we’ll go from there.”
