SCARLETS: Six-try Scarlets see off Exeter in pre-season opener

The Scarlets got their pre-season off to a winning start with an impressive 36-15 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.

Nigel Davies’ side crossed six times, with doubles from Macs Page and Wales centre Joe Roberts, and tries for Gabe McDonald and Dan Davis.

The afternoon began badly. Gareth Anscombe, named at fly-half for what would have been his first appearance since joining from Aviron Bayonnais, was injured in the warm-up, with Ioan Nicholas switching to 10 in his place.

Exeter started the brighter and opened the scoring from a well-worked driving maul, with the Scarlets down to 14 after Isaac Murray-Macgregor was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, and doubled their advantage minutes later.

The visitors grew into it. A burst through the midfield from Roberts sent Page over in the corner, McDonald adding the extras.

Roberts continued to cause problems and went over himself to put the Scarlets in front for the first time, a slender four-point lead at the interval.

That margin did not stay slender for long. The Scarlets came out with intent after the break, McDonald finishing a well-worked team try before converting his own score.

Page then extended the lead with a fine solo effort, chipping over the top of the Exeter defence and gathering his own kick to score.

In the ascendancy, another followed as Roberts struck for his second of the afternoon.

Flanker Dan Davis completed the scoring late on, dotting down off the back of a driving lineout.

It was a first hit-out for a squad rebuilt over the summer, and one that came without several senior names. Taine Plumtree, Johnny Williams and Carwyn Leggatt-Jones are all due back in October, while prop Chris Apoua has been released after rupturing an Achilles in training.

Josh Macleod, confirmed this week as club captain for a fourth season, led the side.

The Scarlets host the Dragons in Llandovery on Friday 11 September and welcome Saracens to Parc y Scarlets a week later, before opening the United Rugby Championship at home to Cardiff on Saturday 26 September.

Scarlets

Isaac Murray-Macgregor (Iori Badham 55), Callum Williams (Ioan Jones 40), Joe Roberts (Jac Davis), Gabe McDonald, Macs Page (Joe Roberts 67), Ioan Nicholas (Madoc Evans 67), Dane Blacker (Gareth Davies 40), Josh Morse (Sam O’Connor 40), John McKee (George Roberts 40), Gabe Hawley (Harri O’Connor 40), Gabe Cahsay (Sam Lousi 55), Harvey Cuckson (Jac Price 40), Tristan Davies (Joe Denman 55), Josh Macleod (c) (Dan Davis 40), Dom Kossuth (Osian Williams 40).