Final: Munster v Scarlets Scrum V

It's been five years since a Welsh side last lifted this trophy. 13

long years since the Scarlets were last crowned pro-12 champions. They

are now 80 minutes from glory, but standing in their way a Munster side

desperate for victory on Irish soil and to honour their late coach

Anthony Foley, you can guarantee this, it's going to be tense, it's

going to be emotional. Welcome to Scrum Five Live.

The inclusion of Steph Evans for the visitors, the league's top try

scorer's had his red card rescinded and is free to play. That is a

relief to the head coach. Williams will be playing his last game for

the Scarlets. He'd love to leave with a trophy. So would all his

team-mates, of course. Munster are the bookies' favourites. Zebo and

Earls are part of the Munster back three. Here we are then, nine

gruelling months, 22 rounds of action, two semi-finals and it all

comes down to this. By the end of the night, Munster or the Scarlets

will be pro-12 champions. Good evening. The rain has cleared

here in Dublin. Conditions are near perfect for this pro-12 final.

Around 45,000 fans expected here today. Many of them Scarlets fans.

They've all crossed the Irish Sea in genuine hope. We have a stellar

panel as always, two former Wales captains Jonathan Davies and Martin

Williams and the only man who can boast four titles to his name, Shaun

over there. How excited are you about this? It's been chucking it

down all day, so I'm glad the rain's stopped. I'm so excited and

delighted we have got a Welsh team in the final. They deserve to be

here. They have had a lot of confidence and fingers crossed they

can pull it off. How much of a shot in the arm would it be for Welsh

rugby if they could pull it off today? The fact they are here it

gives them a shot. First team ever last week to wane pro-12 away from

home. They have been outstanding, the best team in Wales, best Welsh

region this year, so I hope they can go one step further tonight. A lot

of optimism from the Scarlets and their fans tonight Shaun but Munster

a formidable opposition? They are but there is an air of expectancy of

the Munster fans that maybe the pressure is on Munster, it was on

the Scarlets last week in the semi-final, particularly the second

half. They are going to need to go out and enjoy it. They have done all

the hard work. They can do it. Scarlet news their current guise,

just the one trophy in their cabinet. If you look at their past

history, they can draw a lot of inspiration from what's gone before.

Many people ask me, what was the greatest game in your life; was it a

Grand Slam, a Triple Crown? There's only one game that matters, that

game when we beat the All Blacks 9-3, a great occasion where the boys

gave total commitment. You don't beat New Zealand easy, doesn't

matter what side you put out. Probably one of the great moments in

the history of Llanelli and the Scarlets. Cup rugby has been a huge

part of Llanelli's history and when the Welsh club was formed in about

the early '70s, it became the focal point for Llanelli's playing seasons

really. I think the Scottish Parliaments won five cups on the

trot and it meant everything -- the Scarlets won five cups on the trot.

The sport was amazing and it meant so much to take the trophy home to

your club. The game we played in the '90s, Llanelli were playing against

Australia, the world champions and it ended up with Evans stabbing down

and scoring the try and the celebration with him and Rupert

jumping into each other, it's one of the great memories of my life

watching the Scarlets win that game. I look back as a region and the one

that stands out was winning the Celtic League in those days, beating

Ulster. It meant so much at last for a long time lifting up silverware.

I think for the Scotland Yardth Scarlets to go to Leinster last

Friday evening -- for the Scarlets to go to Leinster last Friday

evening, there was only going to be one winner. They were going to win

that match and now they face Munster. To the coaches, the

players, let's have a victory on Saturday. Come on they are Scarlets.

Wonderful memories for Scarlets fans and a wonderful cameo from Jonathan

as well with a full head of hair still.

Steph Evans, we mentioned him at the top, had his red card rescinded,

huge relief. Scott's got so many attacking weapons but he's

undoubtedly the sharpest? I hope they go out there and play like they

have been and dictate a bit. Common-sense prevailed and this guy

is playing today. He deserves his place. He's been phenomenal, leading

the SATs on the breaks, tries and offloads. Not only is he a finisher,

he creates a lot as well. These two are going to be crucial. Conor Murs

vale the controlling kind of general for Munster, Gareth Davies has got

tremendous pace off the scrums and everything and it's going to be a

great battle. Again, as most finals are, it comes down to the front five

and the half backs. When we talk about the Scarlets pack this season,

James Davies always seems to be stealing the headlines, but his back

row colleague Aaron Shingler going about his business effectively all

season and arguably as influential? He's been influential, he leads all

the stats, he was the Player of the Year. He's been truly fell Fopp

national. -- phenomenal. Call up for the Lions after his unbelievable

performance. The two types of characters who're not going to take

a backward step so a great match-up. A lot of key match-ups today and

Munster here in Dublin, the Scarlets are facing, not just a team of men

but the whole emotional factor with Anthony Foley as well, how difficult

will it be to overcrop that? The hole rugby world, you know, it's a

desperate time to lose your coach at such a young age. He'll be willing

them on from up there. It will be very emotional. Munster are

emotional as well. Don't get too emotional and win the game, you

know. Everyone has huge respect for Manchester. They have done through

Europe and in the pro-12, but especially this year, the way

they've handled the death of Foley and the way they have responded and

the players. It's been a tough, tough year for them. Last week

against the Ospreys, if they'd have had the cutting edge, but I think

they were a bit below par. They had a chance of winning but it was a

tough ask for Scarlets. In terms of styles, is it too simplistic to say

there are the flare? Thing is right. Both teams have to play the way they

have got to the final. Rob Evans has been ball handling in the forwards,

Steph Evans creates inside his channel and James Davies and John

Barclay in the wider channels. They are free to counteraback. McNicholl

has been a revelation. He's sparked people like Shingler in the support

play. They're littered with Xfactor through the team. Shingler has great

support play. Evans has been fantastic. It's great to see him

play. He passes in the ten channel, works hard off Scott Williams and

James day I haves and gets a second touch to create the try. James

Davies, you can't leave him out, he's creative, he brings people into

play, he's in the white channels and of course his trademark is over the

ball. Big battle there today, as we see in this example with Tommy

O'Donnell and CJ Stander. If they keep this form up, they can do it.

It's getting exciting. Let us hear from the coaches. A South African

against a Kiwi today. The big day is here. You have said about the

Scarlets and you hope they make history. How important is it that

they play the game and not the occasion? We have talked about doing

what we have done up to this point. We are in really good form, the guys

are enjoying how they're playing. You can see last week, the character

was tested and they pulled through, so I think we are in a good place

and it's about delivering on the day. We are at the climax of an

emotional season for Munster with the Anthony Foley factor and all

that. What would it mean to the whole community of Munster if you

could pull it off? It would be a story-book ending but life's not

always like that. It's important to go out there and put in a

performance that's worthy of Anthony. That would be awesome. It's

been bouncing down with rain in Dublin all day. Will that affect the

way the Scarlets have been playing? Yes, I just wonder if the hose has

been out on Dublin from up there. It will change slightly and we have to

look after the ball in the contact area. Go and do Wales proud. Thank

you very much. A very relaxed looking Wayne Pivac. The teams are

on their way out. We talked about the strengths of the sides and the

fact that it's technically a home game for Munster but Shaun, as

objective as you can be, who are the favourites today? Scarlets can win

it. Go out and try and win the game, don't go out and try not to lose it.

Back yourselves and go for it like you have done all season. Jonathan

mentioned the fact that Scarlets have got here by playing exciting

enterprising rugby, they can't put a foot on the ball today? That is how

they've won the last couple of games. They are the in-form team.

Munster stumbled against the Ospreys but they've got the emotion with

them today, it's more or less a home crowd with them today so if the

Scarlets can get off to a good start, they can definitely win

today. And you sense they're playing without fear. You see the smile on

Wayne's place, they seem to be playing as a unit, as a squad, they

have something solid there. Trust me, when you have a group in harmony

like that, I've experienced it, it's bliss, it's when you're really

enjoying your job. If you can do that in a final, in a game of this

magnitude, it's so rewarding, the culmination of all the work that

everyone's put in and contributed. It's fantastic. It's very exciting.

The atmosphere really building. These are two teams bang in form.

Munster have won the last seven, Scarlets their last six, only one

team can win today in the final. We can find out who it is in the

company of our commentary team. The rain has gone but it's grey

skies above Dublin. If the semi-final is anything to go by, it

will be lit up pretty soon. The pro-12 finishes and reaches a

tremendous climax. The Scarlets have won the last six, only one defeat in

the last 12. Munster won the last seven, only one defeat in the last

17. Two quality teams, two outstanding performances in the

semi-final. And one winner at the end of the day. The planes, the

trains, the ferries, the hotels, they've all been booked solid since

these two saw their way through last week. Scarlets creating history by

becoming the first ever team away winners the semi-final of the

competition just a mile or so down the road in the heady heights of the

Aviva Stadium can they claim another piece of Scarlets history. Munster

three -times communities. -- Munster three-times champions. Munster play

in blue this afternoon. Not a full house but full enough. Over 40,000,

nearing 45,000. Such excitement. Both teams and officials gather.

That is for a minutes' silence to pay respects to those who lost their

lives and were injured in Manchester at the beginning of this week.

Ladies and gentlemen, we'll now observe a minutes' silence in

respect of those who died on Monday night in the Manchester Arena

bombing. Very touching and a day which will

be full of emotion anyway, that after Munster lost their coach far

too early, Anthony Foley. Deaths in Manchester, and a suitable respect

paid. Anthony Foley's sons with Nigel Owens, the referee today,

giving the match ball to Rhys Patchell.

Best ref in the world, he may come from Wales but that won't matter a

jot. Ably assisted by Michael Wilkinson of Ireland and Neil

palstering son of skoled, the TMO -- Neil Paterson of Scotland.

One more chance in the colours that they are proud to wear. Rhys

Patchell gets the game under way. Munster the team in blue this

afternoon. Munster comfortably victorious over

the Ospreys, Scarlets superb against Leinster. Conor Murray.

Good weight on the ball. Every chance to run on to it. It's Liam

Williams, the bomb diffuser. Dragged out of play by CJ Stander.

They want to play the game quickly. One player we haven't mentioned has

been Jonathan Davies. A lot of critics were writing him off in the

Six Nations, but his form's been brilliant over the last few games

for the Scarlets. James Davies, the other Davies brother. Now Jonathan

gets his hands on it. Saili is there. Bleyendaal's kicked the

challenge down. Loose ball. It will be greasy out there. Torrential rain

all morning and for the early part of the afternoon here in Dublin.

Patchell. Again good defence. Scarlets holding on to the ball

well. Elias. Barclay. Just a little bit too far that one.

No-one within ten or 15 meets of Gareth Davies.

Goes up on his own defending. They have got to work that out and pick

the holes out from the side of him. McNicholl. Two back rowers either

side of him. Murray with the tackle. Barclay.

The ball is there for Gareth Davies. Patchell. O'Donnell. The crowd

loving it. Holding on against Patchell. You mentioned Saili. It's

a theme throughout the Manchester defence, it's Conway that time,

steps from the outside and forces Patchell to go inside. Should have

been inside ball there. The scrum was going wide. Good communication

between scrum-half and winger. That ball would have gone inside and

Scarlets would have been on the post. What an opportunity missed.

The ball has gone forward. Scarlets with pressure. Conway get ago scrum.

Well read. Conor Murray was asking him to bite. Good defence from

Patchell. He saw the danger Munster possessed, they were the driving

line out. Such a big, powerful back, probably heavier and more powerful.

Jonathan Davies over to the far side, alongside Steph Evans.

Pressure on the Scarlets scrum first penalty at set play. Going Munster's

way. Penalised for that. I think the call came from the touchline.

You run away with the ball, it's an easier kick. I think that'll give

the Scarlets a lot of confidence, the way their numbers are onner they

are side, just the awareness of the inside pass. Try-scoring

opportunity. As we thought, it will be the power of the Munster front

five that'll try to strangle the Scarlets. Very interesting

encounter. Bleyendaal the leading points scorer

has no trouble getting the first points of the final putting Munster

ahead 3-0. A much easier kick. Dan Biggar last week went to take a

penalty, somebody shouted, the fans indicated who it was and the police

went in to throw him out. Great attacking opportunity for the

Scarlets. Temporary replacement for Rory

Scannell is on. He's undergoing a head injury assessment. Free play

now. They have a chance to go here. Patchell. McNicholl. On the wing is

Liam Williams and they don't need to come back for the penalty because

Liam Williams in his final game in Scarlets colours has the first try

of the afternoon and has put the Scarlets ahead. Brilliant play.

I thought the kick was precise. It held up. Greasy surface. Beautifully

weighted kick. Let us see if he's grounded. He wants to look at it.

Just watch. McNicholl. Just fades at the last stage,

Patchell. Scarlets conning with their open rugby.

Brilliant kick from Patchell, perfectly weighted and a great

finish. McNicholl read it. He was going for it as well. It was wider

to Liam Williams. A deadly finish. Scarlets try scoring record on this

winning run. Remarkable three, five, five, two, eight and four.

With all the tries they've scored, you have to praise the forwards.

They didn't have the platform in previous seasons. This season

they've been a lot better. Big ask for the Munster pack today though.

The strong-running South African in midfield. Billy Holland. Options

either side for Murray. They look a yard faster the Scarlets at the

moment. They are up off the ground defensively and seem to have more

numbers on their feet. The speed of Munster's defence is

something the Ospreys found hard to tackle last week. Scarlets emulating

them. Scarlets again, 30 metres out. They've gone through the phases and

all of a sudden he's kicked it in. He'll be pleased with that. It was

Rawlins that time. It's a result for the Scarlets, two

of the best line outs in the game. We saw last week in this position,

they called a back line out which is very risky. So gone to the middle

this time. Rawlins delivers. Scannell is back on the field. And

he assists in that tackle. There he is at 12.

Patchell. Good yardage on the kick. Yes, good kick and exit strategy

there. It was another driving line-out for

Munster. Holland delivers. Scannell attaches

behind John Ryan. Good driving line, still going forward.

Rawlins was really battling for the Scarlets. Dangerous ball. It took

out Conway. If it had fallen into the hands of Johnny McNicol, it they

would have been in trouble. More luck than judgment there. It could

have gone either way. O'Mahony, the captain for Munster. CJ Stander.

Zebo. Again, the overlap, the second row there, Tadigh Beirne there, the

intent was to kick the touch, there was no vision to put it wide through

the hands. They had pressure kicks, they are maybe getting ground, but

they are giving line-out away. A former Leinster man, he has grown

into that Scarlet shirt. He has been superb.

Barclay and James Davies and Lewis Rawlins together. Keith earls. Very

well taken. No hands in there. -- Keith Earls. No win there. Williams

put the tackling. Gareth Davies is safely back. The Scarlets are really

incensed because they had three men on the outside. They are incense, it

is his job to stop De Bourgoing out. Johnny McNicholl should control that

play and give it a little bit better -- to stop the ball going again. He

gives it a little bit too slow, it is not gone, but never a yellow

card. He needs to give it a little second earlier. I think that is a

yellow card all day. He knows he is beaten and the pass has beaten them

and I think he stuck his hand out and got away with it. Nigel is

there. To the letter of the law, maybe yes, but I think it is the

player who is attacking with the ball who has to make the decision

quick and if he has not got the skills to create a three on two, why

should he get a penalty or at yellow card. There are so many

opportunities for the Scarlets. Saili, had it narrowly defensively.

Conway was in there as well. Very narrow. You have got to look at the

way they are defending. They are putting width on it. Just watch a

game. It is a brilliant kick. Saili is isolated on his own in the centre

there. His first thought is that he has to make the big head. They need

to create the outside. -- hit. Kick it. Free play at the moment for the

Scarlets. They are struggling. You were still on the ground, taking

nine with the ball. If the Scarlets go wide with two passes, they are

struggling to cope with the web that the Scarlets are playing with. They

cannot give the numbers there are defensively. As we know, they are in

the game, they will be there until the end. You have to put them away.

Munster will be there right until the end.

Great strike from Rhys Patchell and as we approach the end of the first

quarter, it is an excellent lead from the Scarlets. Just a comment on

that try from Liam Williams? It is great for him. We will worry about

celebrating that at the end of the game. That was a well taken

opportunity. To come out with a try like that, was all we could have

hoped for. Are you confident you can keep it going? We need to make sure

it is an 80 minute performance. It has been a tough game. It is

starting to drizzle again and it is blowing in the favour of Munster and

that could affect the Scarlets. It is the steady and heavy drizzle.

Dangerous but effective from the Scarlets. Davies on the outside of

Scannell. There goes Steffan Evans. John Davies. Zebo. To you, to me and

it is tried number 13 for the late's top try scorer, brilliant break-out,

the Scarlets at their best. They have been playing absolutely

brilliant rugby and the last couple of weeks. So many numbers. I thought

they had blown it, but what a brilliant try. The forwards, the

passing, early doors, this was the mistake once again. It is not

forward. Samson has to take it. Scott Williams. He is away. I

thought Jonathan Davies was in. Great tracking by Zebo. Lovely

off-load. Brilliant Scarlet strive. First class. We mentioned it before

the show, we hoped they would not freeze. That was fantastic. You

mentioned shingler, Tadigh Beirne, brilliant play from the Scarlets.

The ex-jurors come from Rhys Patchell and it is getting better

for the Scarlett Scarlets -- extras. The way they are playing at the

moment, the awareness to play their way they are playing, you have to

say, they have been a delight to watch. Another thing, if it is

drizzle, if the opportunity should arise, it is brilliant but I did not

think Munster have the pace to score from distance and their intent is to

play in the Scarlets 22. The last time that Steffan Evans was in

Dublin, his world was falling apart, read carded, in danger of missing a

first Welsh World Cup. Now things are looking so rosy. -- he got a red

card. Patchell safely underneath it. Johnny McNicholl. James Davies. He

finds Shingler and he goes tearing down the wing. It is Steffan Evans

again. Evans steps back inside. Gareth Davies drops it and it has

gone forward. There was an even better approach that time and that

could have been one of the tries of the season if it had stuck. Watch

the pass. So narrow. Beautiful pass by James Davies and they have blown

it! Unfortunately, you have to score these tries. Great scrambled

defence. You cannot afford to miss those opportunities in this game.

Munster are all over the place and defence, particularly on the edges.

There is no communication, you have Peter O'Mahony barking Steffan

Evans, that was a mismatch. Brilliant play from the Scarlets.

The pass was delivered too hard. Steffan Evans did brilliantly

because both Murray and Evans went for him. That should have been try

number three and maybe game set and match for the Scarlets. Munster

breathe a sigh of relief and lived to fight another day. Even that try,

it is not game set and match. They are at sixes and sevens and they

cannot cope with the width and distribution that the Scarlets have.

The Scarlets seem to have much more energy, they are on the front foot.

Munster look flat, whether the emotion has got to them, but they

are not out of it by any means. Pressure. Now then. Now then. Conor

Murray. If they go for a scrum here, there are so confident now, of their

creativity and execution. It has gone against Conor Murray for

delaying. Then he went down. They have got to forget that they bond

that try and try and get another one. Momentum is huge in sport and

the Scarlets have had the mental in the last three months of the season.

They create momentum. Now they have Munster on the rack, they have to

put them away because they will come back. Great scrum from the Scarlets.

Gareth Davies, short to Scott Williams. Makes it available.

Shingler. Good tackle. 65 back row is trying to hold him up. Aaron

Shingler has the ground. Scott Williams tries to fire it out and

get it passed everyone -- Baldonnel. It was too great. Because of the

bow, he had to make the tackle. It was not a forward pass -- Zebo.

David Wilkinson saying it was not the past, there was nothing wrong

with it but it just slipped and Steffan Evans could not keep it

infield. I thought the wins was against the Scarlets. -- wind.

Munster are really up against it and they need all their experience. They

just look shell-shocked, Munster, they knew what was coming and they

knew how the Scarlets played the game. They have not had any answers

so far in the first 25 minutes. A the Scarlets player is injured, it

is Samson Lee. We mentioned the fantastic rugby they play, you have

to give the forwards credit, solid scrum and line-out went well. You

cannot play that sort of rugby unless you have a solid set piece.

You need that man to stay on. There is the noise from the Scarlets fans.

They realise it is an opportunity. A big bank of Scarlets supporters away

to our right. It is in line with the way players. On the near side of the

field. Very difficult. They are all in red jerseys.

Scannell bides his time. Murray trying to give Conway a chase.

Brilliant take by Steffan Evans. James Davies. Another stall ward of

the season. What is he going to do to get reckoning with Wales. It is

quite baffling. Away, move. Elias Waits. Steffan

Evans is their supporting, being driven away by Lewis Rawlins.

Captain John Barclay. Davies, James Davies.

Bleyendaal is playing at the back. Zebo is doing so much running, it is

amazing. Scott Williams goes straight through to Gareth Davies

who skips over. He is over the try line but will it stand? Was the path

forward? It could be try number three for the Scarlets but they will

have to wait and see. The initial reaction was a forward pass and he

called it. I agree. We are not in line with it but in real time, it

looked as though it did just go forward. That is tight, isn't it?

Very tired. Certainly not obvious. From that angle, it looks good. It

is a fantastic try. That will do nicely. It is try number three,

Gareth Davies may not have got the first effort, but he's certainly got

that one and the Scarlet are rampant in the first half. It was not clear

and obvious, and Scott Williams uses that power again to get through the

first two tackles. Probably one of the best in the business, Gareth

Davies. An absolute poacher. There we are, missed tackle, steps in, he

has gone. I would like to see that again, his support line was

brilliant, Gareth Davies. Keeping in front of the ball. Gambling on the

break from Scott Williams and gets his just rewards. Brilliant from the

Scarlets. The Scarlets scored three tries in the first against Leinster

in Dublin last week, they got three against Munster in Dublin week.

Scannell goes off for a second time. They need to keep on playing. They

cannot stop now. Taute is back on. Percentages from here, they do not

need to do this ridiculous thing but when it is gone, they need to go.

Samson Lee has gone off and... They did not want him this early. Spilt

again by Munster. Liam Williams. Johnny McNicholl gives chase and

Keith Earls knows he is there. In those Johnny McNicholl. Taute on the

try line. Great pressure from the Scarlets and they have won

themselves a scrum. For five of them compare to one or two of the Munster

players. They are just smashing them at the moment. I do not think I have

seen an Munster side being so comprehensively beaten at the start

of a game in such a long time and I feel that everything they are

attaching is going to turn into gold. This early in the game, if

they score from the set piece, it could be curtains. I totally agree.

Any sort of points here, three, five, seven points... That will

surely be too far for Munster to come back from especially the way

the Scarlets are playing. First scrum. Decision-making so far has

been brilliant. Pressure on. They need to get out of there now. He

popped out of that scrum. Lewis Rawlins. Tadigh Beirne, determined

and over! Incredible. Absolutely incredible. This is a sublime 30

minutes of rugby from the Scarlets. No bonus points in the final, but

this is indeed a bonus in every sense for the Scarlets. Tadigh

Beirne makes it dream world for the men in red. What a story for Tadigh

Beirne. He is a Leinster boy. He scores in the Pro12 final. In the

Aviva Stadium. They go down the short side, it is brilliant. From

that position, you do not think he will score. Munster look, realised.

Totally overrun. In every facet of play. There are a few bodies down. I

think John Barclay is down he got a white in the Reds. He may try orchid

of. -- he may try and walk it off. They go high, they're trying to do

the choke tackle. He spends out of two tackles and he is over. He has

just turned 25 in January. The man from county caldera says Leinster,

this is what you missed. -- County Kildare.

Again, the job is done by Rhys Patchell and the Scarlets slowly

pulling clear. The thing you have got to look at, they have not had

any possession, Munster, when they have had the ball, they have kicked

it away and the Scarlets have run it back at them. It could be 40 points.

What can Munster offer in reply. They were not taking the quick throw

ins before. There will have to chase the game. The whole mindset of

Munster will change. The whole mindset. They wanted to slow

everything down, get the tempo and the pace out of the game, controlled

the game, control the way they are playing the game. That has totally

gone out of the window now. 71% possession. The telly play will be

interesting. James Davies recovering. They are

again. Munster. If it goes wide again, they will be caught again --

they are short again. It came off the fingertips of Tadigh

Beirne, Zebo with the kick pass. Williams did just enough. Just did

enough. There we are. One little kick. He will have been

disappointed, he rides the tackle and loses control of the ball. There

it is. Just jumping out of the tackle and readjusting and lost

control of the ball. John Ryan, Munster desperate to score before

half-time. CJ Stander. Bleyendaal. Jaco Taute. John Davison followed

him every step of the way. Bleyendaal to Ryan once more. There

are not going to take it end. Double hit on CJ Stander by two the

Scarlets larks. Was he taken out by Elias? If he had gone down, he might

have just got the penalty -- locks. Still ferocious. The Scarlets still

want to keep it alive as much as they possibly can. Pressure on the

ball carrier, at that time it was Dave Kilcoyne. The workrate of Lewis

Rawlins is phenomenal. Saili with a half-break. Good interplay by those

two. Tommy O'Donnell. Looking for support, Rhys Patchell gets the

tackle in. Zebo to Ryan. Munster have to go to the right-hand side.

Shingler hounding his man. Scannell. Brilliant offence by the Scarlets

under pressure. Better play by Munster, they are going through the

phases. They have dropped it. And the double knock-on will give the

Scarlets the ball back and a breather, just as important after

all that tackling. There are just chasing the game. The game has

suddenly changed Munster now. They like to play a little bit flatter as

well. Bleyendaal will have to play flatter. He is not creating

anything. Conor Murray. Spotted the gap. First real break that Munster

have had. Again, the pace, the temple, the enthusiasm, that is a

little bit too hard by the Zebo. That has been the difference.

Gareth Davies was the one getting the treatment and he will have to

put the ball into the scrum. Derry are. -- there we are. He is chatting

to the assistant referee. We will look at the front rows are doing on

your side. Especially with Werner Kruger coming on. The former South

African flanker there. Chance to go on the blindside here.

Rhys Patchell is getting his chance and he is picked up well by Saili.

The Scarlets do not want any mistakes with only three minutes of

the first half remaining. They want a confidence boost going into the

changing room. Will they go for the touchline? Or

will they take the three points? It is a big call. All or nothing. He

has got to make it to the five metre line.

Everyone knows what they are going to do. It's a catch and drive.

Well this is a crucial part of the game now. Final two minutes of the

first half. Munster haven't been anywhere near the Scarlets tree

line. Can they give themselves a bit of hope just before the interval?

O'Donnell comes on. Topped it. O'Mahony. Penalty again. Knocked on

by Zebo. Still pressure because it will be a Munster scrum. Scrum not a

penalty. One more period of defending for the

Scarlets in this first half. CJ Stander at eight. Going for the

drive. Stander picks up short ball. Saili comes on the charge. He's a

dummy runner. Bleyendaal makes his way over. Munster get a sniff in the

last minute of the first half. Too short runners and they overegged the

situation. They're taking them in. They don't

want Llanelli to restart so that says it all, wouldn't you. You would

be thinking they would want to have the ball back. But as Munster do,

they're on the score board with their first try. Lovely worked try.

Munster want to finish on a high. They want now to be pumped up in

that changing room. Bleyendaal's got all of their ten points but it's

been a superb performance from the Scarlet news the first half. Four

tries they've scored but they know it's not ever yet because Munster

will fight and fight and fight. But they'll take it, certainly the

Scarlets will. Half time, 29-10. Phil. How good was that first half

and enjoyable was that first half? It was good. We are not done yet. We

gave them a sniff there and they came back and scored. How will you

play it? Same. Have a good half. Thank you very much. Bleyendaal

leading goal scorer has no trouble getting the first points of the

final. Patchell. McNicholl knew the kick was coming. Williams. In his

final game in skarlt colours, he ran to the line. Scarlet colours. To me

to you, to you to me... Straight through. Davies! Skips

over. Determined. Absolutely incredible. Sublime 30 minutes of

rugby from the Scarlets. Scarlet colours, he ran to the line. Scarlet

colours. To me to you, to you to me...

Straight through. Davies! Skips over. Determined. Absolutely

incredible. Sublime 30 minutes of rugby from the Scarlets. Munster

keep their slim hopes alive with this at the end of the first half.

Bleyendaal converts his own try, meaning the half time score is

29-10. Sounds an awful lot better for the thousands of Munster fans in

the stadium here than 29-3 did. Gents, I don't know if any of us

have got our breath back. That was virtually unbelievable. What's just

happened there? Very... He's lost for words. After the third try he

didn't know what to say in commentary. Lots of kicking,

everybody TSB nervous, Scarlets have thrown that out of the water and

just gone for it. Every time they've had the ball they've looked like

scoring or have scored. Phenomenal. We said pre-match if the Scarlets

were to have a chance today, they couldn't abandon the game plan

that's got them so far in the league this season. And they are playing

with such abandon, such panache? Stark contrast to the two sides.

Munster look emotionally shocked and shell shocked at the Scarlets'

ability. They're up pore this and playing like they have done. We said

it at the top of the show and they're doing it. That's a warning

sign. It's not a bad sign for Pivac. Slight warning, don't let them close

to the line because they're clinical when they get there. Starting with

the Liam Williams try, we said at the top of the show, emotional day

for him, he would have liked to have opening the scoring, his last game.

A perfectly weighted chip from Patchell? But it sums up Munster.

Zebo is there. The Scarlets are going to the left side but Simon

Zebo is too far over on one side. Scarlets look like they are coming

this way. Penalty advantage. Patchell spots this, sharp, quick

thinking. Earl is on the left-wing, he'll have to drop back. Zebo is out

of position. Williams holds the width. It's a lovely weighted kick.

Zebo has too much to do. Then it's all about the race and the bounce.

Williams on his form is going to take that chance. Such an important

time as well because Munster had taken the lead 3-0. The crowd were

starting to get into it. Straight from the kick off. They took the

advantage and it seemed to just take the wind out of Munster and give

Scarlets the confidence to carry on doing what they have been doing for

the last couple of weeks. A feature is how Scarlets have got the ball

wide, taking advantage, exploiting the narrow Munster defence.

That Saili knock-on which you and Jonathan disagreed on in the

commentary box. Whether it was a yellow or not is there to be debated

but he's not sure how to defend on that. On the outside, the wrong

people in the wrong places. Look how much room he's got. Three players.

First instinct is always to step in. He knows what he's doing there. That

was just a sign of things to come later on. They goat O'Mahony on.

They're all over the pitch defensively and Scarlets are

clinical enough to take advantage of that. If that Steph Evans try showed

us anything, it was that Steff Evans try? And the Gareth Williams miss as

well. It's sloppy from them. Uncharacteristic. Look at the

Scarlets pulling back. They recognise they have to hold depth.

These outside guys, O'Mahony and Saili, they dive in. Scarlets were

good last week. That was Shingler there. I want you to watch Rob Evans

and Gareth Davies and latterly coming up Scott William's effort.

These two boys do great but look at the Scarlets players. Loosehead

prop. Bust a gut to get on the inside and that is the difference

between the two. Forwards running with the ball of supporting lines,

the handling skills, it's part of the Scarlets' creed. I guarantee

you, they train that way. Huge credit to the coaching staff because

you are given freedom to express yourself, you train like that

throughout the week and they look like a team who enjoyed themselves

going out to play rugby and they are not afraid to make mistakes. The

outcome is fantastic. They have just been, their speed of thought and

speed of body, that much quicker than Munster in the first half. You

mentioned Gareth Davies' missed try. That would have been try of the

season arguably. Sublime playing again. The support lines are great.

This is Ryan Elias. Watch Gareth Davies there. Great from Scott

Williams but you get what you deserve. He's got the gas to go

away. Great score. That was timely as well. It was timely. You have

been talking in glowing terms particularly at the semi-final stage

about the two Scarlets second rows, no

but Jake Ball but Tadhg Beirne. They say they haven't got power upfront

but that shows that they have. A fantastic carry. Lewis Rawlins was

outstanding last week, he ruffled Johnny Sexton. They stopped

Manchester's attack. Truly outstanding. Last week and this

week. Talk about two guys punching above their weight, neither of them

second rows but putting themselves about on the pitch and talking of

punching, I think Phil Steel's got an interesting guest alongside him.

What do you support if you are Welsh today? We are all Scarlets today.

Even this man, boxing coach Garrett loch, how is a Cwmbran boy a Scarlet

today? A couple of the boys are friends of mine. My wife is a fan

and her father was a doctor for them so I have no choice. You have been

doing work with Rhys Patchell? Yes, I've been working with a few. We saw

how versatile they were. Last week. It was brilliant. Taught him

anything he shouldn't be doing on a rugby field? No, that is not my

expertise but he's a very versatile guy, he's got power and he's

explosive and has a very good ingin. Put your Scarlets fan head back on.

What did you make of the first half? Absolutely mind blowing. They've

just been beating them for pace. I'm no expert but they are doing

fantastic. Let's just hope that they don't throw the towel in now. In

boxing parlance one more try would be the knockout blow? 100%

definitely. You heard from it Gary Lockett, former boxing champion

there. We have a whole half of rugby yet to

come. There's already enough highlights to fill an hour's

programme. We do have highlights tomorrow, Up Five Sunday, Sean,

Martin and myself coming to you at 6 o'clock. So much to talk about

already. You heard Martin say earlier

Jonathan Davies was lost for words, he lost the power of speech. Let's

talk to him now. We have been discussing what an outrageous,

almost unbelievable first half of rugby that was. Ever seen anything

quite like that in a final? No, not really. As the boy said earlier, you

get to the final and the nerves take over. They stay true to the way

they've played all season. They've looked for the off-load, then when

there's a turnover, they've done it wide. A good example was when they

are all falling back. As soon as someone sees an opportunity to drop

deep, they put themselves back into a position to take the ball. For me

the execution and awareness and the way they've wanted to play has been

brilliant. How many times have we said, the try before half time, yes,

you know, an example for them knowing they can't take Munster for

granted. They have got to come out here and play. I thought Munster

looked all at sea. They don't have the pace to two from distance. Maybe

keep on playing when the opportunities are there, but keep

Munster in their own 22 as well and live on their mistakes from there.

Almost a case of a compromise keeper, an element of flair to the

game, pragmatism too in the second happen? Yes, they just can't stop

playing. They've gotten to this position through the confidence.

When they see opportunities, they need to take them. The skills have

been brilliant. Still a big, big 40 minutes to play but they've got to

play slightly percentages with the conditions as well. To go back on

the way the Scarlets have been playing, it's evident the coaches

have encouraged them to give it a go. The boys said they're smiling,

being encouraged to take chances and not to play within themselveses? For

me, we've all known the Scarlets brand has been play open attractive

rugby and there's been times in past great sides that the forwards could

handle. That's been the big, big improvement in the Scarlets.

Everyone's having a go at Sampson Lee because he's on a scrummager. He

is aware, gets the pass away, so the front five has been instrumental how

the Scarlets have played this year and they've got to take a lot of

credit. Are they going to win? Well, in this position I think everyone in

Wales will be disappointed if they don't win. I think they will win but

they have to keep playing. Thank you, Jonathan Davies in the

commentary box. What is the message from Wayne Pivac then? The kind of

football phrase, don't park the bus, don't allow Munster on to

yourselves. You have seen how clinical they are, they try to maul

from every line they have had in the attacking half and the first

halfment they have to keep playing and keep the confidence up. I would

be saying perhaps at 19 pints, take the next kickable three fk, that

takes you to 22, that's four scores, if you can't win it from there, you

don't deserve to win it. Absolutely. Four scores it's game over. Munster

have come with a game plan to play narrow and tight. It's difficult to

go from a narrow plan to a wide plan. It's difficult. Huge task for

Munster. It's going to have to be one of the all-time greats...

Showned like a coach. I should have been a coach, one of the old-time

ones. I'm sure the confidence and momentum they've got, the Scarlets,

I don't want to, you know, tempt fate, but they're home for me.

Let us have a look at the Munster try. They don't give up these

Munster players and they got themselves back in it with this.

Very, very clinical. The Scarlets will have been aware of Saili and

the threat. He's lining up here. He'll be looking to identify. Very

clever coaching. Bleyendaal wasted the minute because they wanted to go

into half time with a positive. Psychological. The message from the

Scarlets dressing room, we know it will be, don't give up. They have

staying power. What will the message have been? The message will be, you

have 40 minutes left. Let's be honest, a lot of people will have

come here expecting Munster to win. Like Shaun says, they have had a

tough season emogsly, all the tragedy off the field. Mostly, they

look spent and drained and it's so difficult. I'm sure Erasmus will

say, leave it behind -- so much emotion. The crowd aloud here,

45,000. You can see the flags flying, the Munster flags, a lone

Welsh flag flying there up in the stand. Plenty of Scarlets fans

making their voices heard here as well. Martin Williams is about to

return to the commentary box to join Jonathan and Gareth. Let's hopefor

another scintillating second half. Spell bounding from the Scarlets. It

will take a comeback of all comebacks for Munster. If there's

any kick of a penalty in the second half, you take them all, I wouldn't

just take the first one, I would take every one, keep the score board

ticking over. I think first to score makes this a very, very interesting

encounter now. First to score in this second half. What a

performance. But only half a job done. The quality of the rugby has

been top notch. The Scarlets are 40 minutes away from capping off a

superb season. Patchell. Zebo. First mistake comes from Kilcoyne.

Davies is on it in a flash. Saili. So narrow again. Just incredible.

Saili is just shooting up to the line.

O'Donnell trying to fight his way back in. Kill joining looking to

make up for the first little slip. -- Kilcoyne looking to make up for

the first little slip. Scannell. Ryan. The three front-row members

getting their hands on the ball early doors in the second half.

Taken by Andrew Conway. The crowd doing everything to get behind

Munster. They didn't step back there. Two passes behind the line

and nobody stepped back to receive it out wide. They did well to get

that over the gain line. Three scores Scarlets are defending.

O'Donnell runs the angle. Very good tackle. Rawlins is all over the

first ball. Bleyendaal. Rawlins. He did a job on Johnny Sexton last

week. Zebo steps in. Finds Jonathan Davies. Across comes Liam Williams.

Creates the space behind. Forwards defending there. Peete O'Mahony

can't catch it. Ter O'Mahony can't catch it. They couldn't break

through. Kicked. Result for the Scarlets defence. Pushed back to the

22 as well. It'sthe old adage about the pace.

Right throughout the Scarlets team, they have pace.

This is a big kick, this is. This could kill any kind of momentum that

Munster had. I would definitely maybe change the tactic.

I just think that if you play Munster and turn them and put them

in their own 22, they don't look as if they've got the pace to two the

length. Maybe Zebo. Patchell safely inside the far post

and now it becomes a four-score game again. Shaun mentioned at half time,

that is huge, four scores, a long, long way back from Manchester

though. Four scores and they don't look like scoring unless they are

near the try line. A big powerful South African for the

quickest player, O'Donnell. It's not going to bring more pace.

Support inside from Keith Earls. Into the 22. Got a fine touch there.

Bleyendaal can't get his kick through. Patchell stabs at it again.

Got no confidence with ball in hand. Rawlins again with the hit. Even

when they break Zebo, the speed of the Scarlets get it back in defence.

Yards in front of the Munster players.

Williams got sucked in there. For me, a restart, you put that in the

stands and then you start again. Scarlets don't need to chase the

game and keep the tempo up. Kick it into touch and lead the attack.

Geesele has come on in the front row. . The impact has to be earlier.

Only five minutes gone and they needed to do something very, very

quickly. Solid scrum. Williams short side,

look. That's it. Bit flatter it needed to be.

There's confidence and there's confidence.

John Davies hits the gap. Support comes from his brother James.

Knocked on by Shingler in the tackle.

I just think, Jonathan Davies, a great break, he surprised everyone.

I think there's a kick on here. I have to say, it's kind of reminds me

when that they prop the ball up and expect somebody to be there. Maybe

should have hit the deck. Jonathan is so explosive and powerful. When

they get the ball, the Scarlets, the forwards, they are so powerful and

quick off the mark and create havoc. Tip of the hat to the coaches

because they've brought the style out and they're improving the

players on the pitch as well. It's benefitting the players, they feel

comfortable at it and these are the results. Their work rate in attack

and defence off the ball is phenomenal.

This will suit the Scarlets. Even though nothing came of the attack,

the game has slowed down a bit and stops a bit, kills a bit more time

on the clock. It's very difficult. Looking back, did anyone see these

performances coming. Which game did we see the start of it? I think it

was Connacht away at the beginning of the season. The way they went to

the sports ground. Such a difficult place to play, they seem to get

confidence from this. Already Once you've got momentum as a team...

They went to Glasgow as well and won, they went to Munster and won.

Those were the confidence-building bricks and then the performance

against Connacht. Look at how they've stepped up to this level.

Davies gives himself room to get the kick in. They've put themselves

under pressure. You don't see the Munster players

talking to the referee. Peter O'Mahony has a chat with his

forwards. The clock is ticking. Just over half an hour remaining. 22

points Scarlets lead. Stand-off to defend this line. And they get their

reward. Accidental offside. Smart play from

the Scarlets for outthinking them. Accidental offside, red ball. There

we are. Just keeps hold of that. He's transferred it and made contact

with Scarlets. Get on with the game. The strongest weapon... They will be

happy. They are not showing it at the moment. Hang on.

Looking to get the Scarlets down field. Zebo, he is looking an

attacking threat. They have been few and far between for Munster. Saili

hugging the wing. Liam Williams not letting go. The defensive line. Jean

Deysel. Stephen Archer. He was way offside. I think Nigel felt sorry

for him and would not penalised him. Steffan Evans. Zebo again. A the

Scarlets ball. Did not affect play? Offside? Taking a man in the air? He

took a knee from Zebo. Rob Evans looks like an international centre.

He should have stayed on his feet. You were very lucky that you had no

affect on that ball. Change, Rob Evans and Gareth Davies depart. It

is incredible to think that yesterday morning, Jonathan Evans

was waving goodbye to a bus-load of mates who were going on his stag

weekend and he is coming here to play the Cup Final. I bet he got

some stick for that for booking his stag weekend on the final. I am sure

they are watching. I think they are in Budapest. Turnover. They need

something fast, Munster. The clock is against them now. They need

something click. -- they need something quick. That is the longest

kick that Bleyendaal has ever put in. Have they gone off the top at

all, Munster? Every line-out has been a drive. The backline looks so

disjointed. Billy Holland makes way for Jack O'Donoghue. A back row

player coming on for a second row player. Peter O'Mahony will probably

move up into the second row alongside Donnacha Ryan. The front

ball as well. There goes CJ Stander and Saili but Scott Williams was

there watching. Conway was there. There is some variation in the

Munster play. Narrow again, look at them, narrow, narrow in defence and

narrow in attack. Dave Kilcoyne. Tadigh Beirne. Superb. When you see

a situation like that, a player coming into attack, it is so

difficult, he managed to remove Barclay, but Tadigh Beirne stayed in

there. Just watch, they do the break, you see how isolated one

player is. He comes up, that two the Scarlets boys are waiting for him.

He has to make them safe. He has got to put those into the crowd. Does

not matter about distance, get the ball back. Keep the ball in your

hands and he cannot score. They have got to do a bit more defending now.

That is far more tiring. Get up, make amends for the missed kick.

Conway arrives first. Munster stay on the front foot. Kilcoyne, looking

to get the numbers going left. Zebo. Big pounds from Taute. Keith Earls.

A lot of red shirts behind him. Stephen Archer. The Scarlets, one

player in the ruck. Jean Deysel out the back door. Denies Scannell in

the end. I think that is Kruger. John Barclay ready at scrum-half.

Elias does the job. They need the right players in the right

positions, now Jonathan Evans is in the right position. Liam Williams

challenging. Not the best box kick by Evans, he needed the height on it

and he is disappointed with himself. If they can play in between the 22

is, the Scarlets will be happy. It is stop and start for Munster. Same

change for a the Scarlets as they did last week. Hadleigh Parkes is

coming on. Hadleigh Parkes started every game last year, has featured

in every game this year in the league. I still think that is a

strange decision, but for me, you need a specialist then on the field

to control the game. The ball kicker, Liam Williams does not look

confident kicking the penalties. Just like ten, controlling a game.

The kicking game, to keep the Munster side in the right areas, it

is still important. Quarter of an hour of the second-half goal, 25

remaining. The Scarlets defending a 22 point lead as Conor Murray puts

the ball wide. Just tap set. Back goes Steffan Evans to cover. Three

Munster meant to put pressure on him. This is dangerous. The Scarlets

have done well. They have flooded back there to support the winner.

Steffan Evans did well there. It is only a few metres, though. The kick

again is their best attacking option. There is the kick, he just

got caught a little bit. Steffan Evans did exceptionally well. He

goes in, Johnny McNicholl goes back to help him. They scored a try from

a line-out. That was at the end of the first half, Munster. Looking to

keep themselves in this game, Munster, driving force, Marshall

just short. The penalty comes their way and it could be yellow. I am not

going to penalised the first offence. They have absolutely flown

in there, no arms. First offence is it is a penalty for Munster at the

moment but now they have to wait to see it. They get it a little bit

isolated, Munster. Here he goes. Conor Murray has flown over. I think

Peter O'Mahony flies in with a shoulder, there is not much you can

do in that position, maybe it is at penalty against Peter O'Mahony. I

think he would be unlucky. Conor Murray flies in, that is a penalty.

You cannot drop your shoulder into someone's back like that. That is a

penalty. Yes it is. That is just born out of frustration, that is.

And a penalty has been turned over. It does not matter. You control

yourself. You're lucky it is just a penalty. It is a good example. Peter

O'Mahony said he is so low, I cannot hear him out. I sympathise with

Peter. John Davies cannot affect the play. You should leave him. He saw a

little bit of red mist. They are 22 points down. You would have got away

with that ten years ago. In this day and age, you cannot get away with

it. I think that is why you should bring rocking back. If he is so low

you can run away, if you ruck him, he rolls away very quickly.

Tell us about that change, Hadleigh Parkes coming on? He has been

endured recently and it was to stop him tiring. Parkes was a centre for

most of his career but he can play as a tense. We need more of a

defensive ability with the pressure from Munster. Are you going to do

it? Fingers crossed. A huge challenge still. Munster are coming

at us with everything. We need to play the right time and take the

points when they come our way. Thank you. I am quite surprised, that CJ

Stander would be tired in approach well. If they called me off for 60

minutes and a final, I do not think I would have gone quietly. They

would have had to have dragged me off! Van der Merwe looking for his

50th Pro12 try before he departs for the Aviva Premiership next year.

Leinster, a little dink over the top. They do not look confident,

ball in hand. There is no creativity whatsoever. You kick the ball away,

hoping you will regain it. You have to go through the phases and have a

little bit more confidence in own ability. Their plane into the hands

of the Scarlets there. -- they are playing. Maybe a kick downfield from

the Scarlets. You can see the frustration, you can see that

Donnacha Ryan, Peter O'Mahony, it is on the line-out, on with it. Control

the ball forward the Scarlets now. He is all over the show. They have

to play a little bit, don't they? It is like the second half against

Leinster when they had to close shop a little bit because they were a man

short. But now, there are just not playing. -- they are just not

playing. The change has affected the whole game, maybe. The distance from

Hadleigh Parkes. The thigh is heavily strapped.

Doubt ball was stripped from Jonny Evans and Keith Earls has put it

down field. -- that ball. Hadleigh Parkes is aiming there. I think they

have lost their shape now, I think they have lost their shape and they

are trying to close the game down. There are 20 minutes left. They have

a very good buffer. The control has gone. Steffan Evans has gone off.

Even though you can see him with an ice pack on his right forearm, I

checked with Mark Taylor and he said, it was not an injury

substitution, it was a tactical substitution. A bit of wear and

tear. Simon Zebo has had to leave the

field in the end. We are in the final quarter and still the the

Scarlets, four scores ahead. They have the only points of the second

half. That Rhys Patchell penalty. We have hardly mentioned CJ Stander.

Even John Barclay is kicking now. Keith Earls looks long downfield.

That is not the greatest spectacle at the minute.

David Bulbring amps Will Boyde are now on. Lewis Rawlins lay the

foundations defensively. Brilliant performances. I think Lewis Rollins

has been sensational. They think of the Welsh tour. Definitely worth a

start. Hadleigh Parkes happy to drop it on

halfway. Scott Williams, to John Davies. Straight through Bleyendaal.

Jack O'Donoghue get the tackling. Over the top. Jack O'Donoghue. They

have just lost their heads. -- gets the tackle in.

The Aviva Stadium has been silenced. 44,000 500. It will be a good kick

from the centre, not go far too much distance for now. Great kick. Now

then, this is the place, hit the switch again. Close again out. --

close the game out. Will Boyde at the front of the line,

James Davies has it safely tucked away with Aaron Shingler ready to

come away with it if there is a sniff of a chance down the

blindside. It is not going anywhere. They will not mind, the Scarlets, a

couple more minutes off the clock by the time they reset the scrum.

Munster do not look like they will be able to go 75 or 80 metres. As

long as Zebo has gone off, they are not going to get anything done

outside. They have a lying deep here. The only thing, if they kick

across field again, Wyn Jones again on the near side. Only missed one

league game this season. That has earned him the collar up for the

Welsh tour. -- the call up for the Welsh tour. That has been impressive

thing about the scholars, ye mention the likes of Tadigh Beirne and Will

Boyde, they have really stepped up to the plate -- but think about the

the Scarlets, you mention the likes of. They have played a very

important role. They have played exceptionally well when they have

started. It looks a stronger all round squad. Great effort.

You have to feel for Munster, it has been such a tough season.

Disappointing for them. They had a great finish to the season, overtook

Leinster at the top of the table but they certainly met their match

today. Not very often you see Munster fans leaving, but quite a

few are leaving now and that face says it all. The clock is ticking

away. Up until now, it has been a disappointing second half. Johnny

McNicholl. Liam Williams. He started it all for the Scarlets, way back in

the eighth minute. I still think the two centres are harder to cope with.

Great play by Scott Williams. Saili again. Flying up at him. Shingler.

Parkes. You mentioned the centres, for the

Scarlets, they do look like a different combination from the ones

who played for Wales. Top-quality attackers.

Munster fans have seen enough, the Scarlets fans are getting more

drinks in. Hadleigh Parkes. Jean Deysel. He has another go. CJ

Stander. Ian Keatley. That is nothing kick really, easy, he has

time to stay in his 22 and put it out of play.

No sense of urgency is still for Munster. I think they are resigned

to defeat. Rhys Marshall. Taute. Saili. Nothing going right for

Munster. Frustration all around for Munster, but again, there is no

subtlety and creativity there. Brute force, take the ball to the line,

hit a good angle. They will be disappointed with what they have

offered today, to be honest. Munster, three times champions,

2003, 2009 and 20 11. Parkes. Good flick on by Scott

Williams. Van der Merwe. He is still coming and he has done it. It is a

50th try for DTH van der Merwe. He has reached a half-century in his

last game and the Scarlets, live in the second half and they are going

to be crowned at where the champions. A fitting finish. That is

going to be another final try. It is such an easy play. They get on the

outside, quick hands by Scott Williams and a brilliant finish.

Brilliant finish. DTH van der Merwe will be leaving with a big smile on

his face. He was not passing that ball. Brilliant flick from Scott

Williams. Quick hands from Jonathan Davies. They have been superb. There

was no stopping him. Brilliant, DTH van der Merwe. I do not think

Bleyendaal wanted to do much of this tackle. There he goes. The hand off.

Celebrations all around, it has been muted second half. But half a chance

and sublime skills from Scott Williams, brilliant finish from DTH

van der Merwe. Liam Williams continues with his

successful kicking, a couple of penalties in the semifinal and

converting the fifth try. It is so nice to see, the simple skills

executed so well, lovely, lovely finish there. Nice friend, says it

all, big big smile. The South African born Canadian, on his way to

the try line. Donnacha Ryan, disappointing final game for him in

Munster colours. Keatley has banned a bit of space but even then, the

touchline beats and Keith Earls. Liam Williams fell over and Keith

Earls is then. It comes from the cross kick, isn't it can?

That is the biggest attendance at a final over 44 and a half thousand

and travelling the Scarlets fans. No one thought never going to be here.

It is great effort. -- no one thought they were ever going to be

here. Charged down by Duncan Williams. Shingler wins the race and

the effort is still there from minute one to minute 73. He has had

another excellent season. He has been outstanding. He is so athletic.

He has a great support player. His line-out play has been exceptional.

We are not picking a man of the match today but he has got to be in

the running. Munster kept their hopes alive with

a late try in the first half. It would just be keeping pride alive

with a late try in the second. Look how deep they are. They have been

comprehensively beaten today. Two missed opportunities in the first

half. Closed down in the second half, the the Scarlets.

We were offering the Scarlets a 7-point start at the start of the

game. Confirmation of what you said

earlier because the man of the match is the Scarlets number six, Aaron

Shingler. It is very acrobatic, to be fair, from Conway. They need to

put them into touch. Munster are still very deep. A bit

of space for Marshall. Conway heading for the corner. Conway with

a superb finish. But it's too little too late for Munster. It's crumbs of

comfort as Conway gets the first try in the second half for them. Only

five minutes remaining. Yes, they sucked one of the wingers in, once

they put Conway away, he wasn't going to be stopped. He kept it in

play from the kick, to be fair. Yes, again, but that come from a missed

penalty kick. Good play. The hooker is chasing. They couldn't

communicate to stay on the fast man. Easy finish. Missed conversion. It's

not very often in a Cup Final you can sit back, relax and enjoy the

last four minutes. That is the kind of finishing the

Irish national team would want to see.

Good hands from Archer. No room for O'Donoghue. Williams straight into

Shingler. He waits for ah Cheshire coming around the corner -- Archer

coming around the corner. Saili tries to go for the gap. Good

support from Bleyendaal. Keith Earls.

Williams. Munster can keeping at it. Even then, it's not going to be

enough. Two late tries for Munster. To spoil

the Scarlets party. It's all been too much for one young Munster fan.

Williams. The Scarlets are going to tire after putting in such an

effort. This could be the last play. Tadhg

Beirne is not going to let go. Williams to Keatley. Still they

persist with the kick-through and James Davies finds the road clear

and the Scarlets are going to have the last words and the Scarlets are

going to finish in the style they've shown today and throughout the

season. More than 40 points, half a dozen tries and the Scarlets are

worthy winners and worthy champions. Turned into a bit of a sevens

towards the end and the sevens specialist is this guy, James

Davies, just to rub salt in the wounds of the Welsh once again.

There he is, finishes proceedings, as I said, a brilliant performance

by the Scarlets. First half performance, clinical, brilliant,

brilliant rugby and they just closed the game down in the second half.

Disappointed with the Munster effort. Taking nothing away from the

Scarlets, they have been brilliant. The last month of the season,

they've been the form side and thoroughly deserve to be the pro-12

champions. Liam Williams started this afternoon

with a try, the first try of the afternoon and a sign of things to

come. Can he also finish it? Liam Williams signs off with two

more points and the Scarlets sign off the season in style. For the

second time in success, they've come to Dublin, they've excelled in the

first half, consolidated in the second, created history by being the

first team to win away semi-final and now they create history by

becoming the first Welsh champions for five years and the first

Scarlets winners for 13. The performance, the season has gone

better and better as it's gone on. Wins against Edinburgh, Trev Is owe,

Dragons, Connacht, Ospreys, Leinster and now Munster, have made it a

crowning season for the Scarlets. They are worthy, worthy champions to

score six tries and 46 points against the team of Munster's

calibre. Really underlines how far the Scarlets have gone. It's been a

marvellous season for them and they're brilliant. Guinness Pro-12

champions. They have beaten Munster 46-22. The non-playing club captain

Ken Owens is with us. How does that feel? It's great. We

have come a long way in the last three years with the coaching staff

and squad and I've got to be proud of the boys, especially how we dug

in from losing the first three games of the season. The boys who haven't

been involved up here, they've been drafted in. Massive effort, so proud

of the boys today. A great way to finish it off. What was the turning

point of the season, Ken? I think it was coming back from that Edinburgh

game. We were disappointed losing the first three, then we went on a

run, ground out wins against Connacht and teams like that and

just really digging in and showing our character.

We have been outstanding today. Any temptation to do a John Terry and

get your kit on to go out with John Barclay? No, I don't need the

attention that much. We'll see. You have got a little Lions tour to look

forward to? Yes, looking forward to that, just glad to be going on the

tour. Injury scare a few weeks act, but everything's as good as gold.

Disappointed to miss the final but a great tour. Late-night. Early night

for me. Enjoy the celebrations. Thank you. Well, Ken Owens, a happy

man. I don't know who is losing their voice most, him clearing from

the sidelines or Steely, but tinged with disappointment that he's not

out there, but he can celebrate with his team-mates. Sum that up for us

if you can, Martin? You asked me at the top of the show, would it be a

shot in the arm in regional rugby if they win the Scarlets, and I think

the regional game gets a lot of criticism. Wales say it's not

working and we should go back to the old format. Scarlets have blown that

out of the water. What they have done, gone to Leinster, the first

team ever to come away with a Pro-12 win and then to dismantle a Munster

side, totally dominate a side like that in the final, two of the best

weeks in, forget regional rugby, but in Welsh rugby, I think it's that

big an achievement. They haven't ground out results, they've played

the game with a smile on their face and width in the game. It's

brilliant to watch. You cannot give that group, the coaches, players,

back room staff enough credit, a phenomenal few weeks. Big statement

from Martin William there is, Shaun. Do you agree, is it that moment us

to in front of a record crowd here in a Pro-12 final, the Scarlets have

come and not just won, but absolutely obliterated Munster

today? They've done it in such style. Last week, they've come to

Dublin back-to-back beaten Leinster and Munster in their own backyard in

front of the partisan crowd. It's a fantastic achievement. Everybody

concerned from the kit man through to the people that make their food,

all the players and coaching staff, it's thoroughly deserved. This is

what it's about, it's about podiums. This is what brings the memories,

not developing or doing OK or finishing sixth or seventh, it's

podiums. They'll cherish this for the rest of their lives. We saw

Aaron Shingler being interviewed there, man-of-the-match and your

man-of-the-match too. There are individual standout players, but

it's a team effort. These players are playing for one another and for

the coaches and fans? It's a squad. Ken Owens menninged about players

who were not involved today, boy who is 're there on a Tuesday, Wednesday

morning doing hard graft but not getting a jersey on a Saturday and

you have to keep harmony within the squad. Look at that picture there,

it tells you they're really tight. The Scarlets have got some brilliant

tachings in there. Boyde, Williams, Davies. And Rob Evans leading the

charge in the middle. We can go back to Phil now. He's won in his own

backyard, he's from Kildare. How did that feel? Absolutely incredible. I

was just saying, we came here and all the Irish media gave us no

chance, all the talk was Munster, Munster, Munster, same last week

with lest Leinster. We all went in there and knew we could come here

and get the win and we absolutely delivered tonight. Tell us about the

try? Incredible feeling, what a day to do it. Absolutely unbelievable.

What have the Scarlets done for you this season because you came as, not

a last chance in your career but you need add kick-start? It more or less

was the last chance saloon for me to be honest. Signed until late May, so

to come here and get the opportunity in November to get to play, I didn't

think I would be here, I honestly didn't. We are Pro-12 champion and I

can't believe it. I can't wait to get back out there with those boys.

Just one more thing, how far can the Scarlets go? Look, we're building.

The unity within this group, I've never felt it before, the

camaraderie, there's such a togetherness. If we can keep that

next year, there is no limit to us. The play we are playing, we are

hitting top form. We'll look at targeting Europe and Pro-12 again.

But right now, tonight, we are going to enjoy it. I gather you will be in

charge of the celebrations being an Irishman? No doubt about that! Have

a good time. Thank you, I appreciate it. Some rock stars in the Scarlets

side, some absolute rock stars, Liam Williams, James Davies we know

about, Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams but it's the unsung heroes

who've done the work tonight. We heard from Tadhg Beirne, Lewis

Rawlins, those two have stepped up in the absence of Jake Ball and

those two, well, it's a wonder Lewis Rawlins isn't on the Wales tour and

Tadhg Beirne. You mentioned the rock stars and the

game will always be the same, they'll always get the headlines

because those are the pretty boys that score the tries. In the Engine

House, the amount of work they've done, the amount of tackles they

have had, they have got to get up off their feet and make another

tackle which they do, they do the line-out. They've been phenomenal,

they really, really have been. The two second rows. They deserve all

the credit. Winning line-outs, carrying, they are not the biggest,

but they use their footwork and they're quick. Shingler there doing

the hard graft. Extra two or three metres looks nothing but makes such

a difference. Again, making the tackles and it's just the work rate

and the energy they've brought to the team. When you are playing in a

side and your second rows are doing that sort of dirty, hard work, it

makes it so much easier for the rest of the team and they've been

outstanding over the last few weeks. When your second rows are

functioning and the numbers are high like that, your team functions well,

it's a well known fact and the coaches have given them confidence.

Shingler and Boyde for example have functioned well off the back of

that. It's fitting they get their rewards. How Shingler was not on the

original tour I will never know. We have got to give a word to

Manchester as well. It's been a tough season for them emotionally.

It was a sad way for them to finish and you feel for them because it's

been tough but they came up against a much better team with so much

momentum and confidence. We'd love to see the Scarlets play Saracens

now, wouldn't we, but they're not far off it. A couple more signings

over the summer. It's a shame they are losing Liam Williams but they're

a quality team. And quality individuals. One of the guys who've

shone all through the season is Steff Evans and he's with Phil. What

a difference eight days make. What was the different today and how

different do you feel to last week? I lasted all the game this week. A

bit of bagging going on there. Gareth Davies that was? I showed up

this week and we knew that we had to play for each other. It's been like

that all season. We said before the game, 80 minutes away from the best

feeling ever in our careers and do for each other what we have been

doing for each other all year. You had so much support from what

happened last week, the Scarlets fans, how much of a support was that

for you in the first few days before the hearing? It was frustrating, the

first two days before my hearing and I had all the support of the boys

and the fans and the coaches. Especially Wayne, he told me to

forget about it for the first two days and, when it came down to it,

he was a great support. For me to play in the final, it's the best

thing that's happened to me. When you turned up on the first match in

September, did you ever think it would end up like this, not just for

the team but for yourself, to get a Wales tour? We started off slowly

but look where we are. We kept building and building and we have

just had to play for each other all season and that's what it's come

down to. You can't stop smiling yourself. It's the way the Scarlets

have played isn't it with a smile? It's the same in training, we are

happy to be there, we take to it the field and we are happy to play for

each other and we give it 100%. A word for your mum and dad in Dubai?

You should have been here! Go get the Welsh cap. Summer tour awaits

for Steff Evans and his colleagues. Munster currently receiving their

runners-up medals and it won't be too long now before the Scarlets

take to the podium and get their hands on the trophy. We can rejoin

Jonathan and Gareth. That is the loneliest walk up to get

a losers' medal. It's so disappointing for Munster. They

wanted to do it for themselves and for the memory, of course, of Axel

Foley as well. But there has to be a loser and there has to be a winner.

Sometimes you think you might have lost it narrowly. Is it's one of

those things, they were comprehensively beaten, they were

not in the game. They'll really enjoy this moment. No-one Gay them a

chance. No-one thought they were going to win. Here they are, look,

the front five go up and they deserve a hell of a lot of credit.

Proud Welshman on stage to greet them in Gerald Davies. Tadhg Beirne.

The Leinster man in-between them has enjoyed every moment of this.

I think they've surprised themselves. Once they clicked and

played the brand of rugby that we have seen, they had belief, didn't

they? The two centres have been brilliant as well. After the Six

Nations, there were questions, but they've been brilliant. They

thoroughly deserve this prize. Well, seven wins in a row, one defeat in

the last 13 games of the season have turned things around for what is a

very, very special squad. They've done Llanelli proud and Wales proud

and they've won many, many fans with a brand of rugby that they've

played. But it's not just been pretty rugby, it's been successful

rugby as well. At last, Wales have their hands on the Pro-12 rugby

trophy again. It's been 13 years in waiting for the Scarlets themselves

and Ken Owens before he goes off to join the Lions, he joins his

team-mates. What a moment for the Scarlets. Worthy, worthy Guinness

Pro-12 champions in 2017. They have been superb and they have been

standard-bearers. Now, having set the standard, let's hope they can

continue in that mould and let's hope others can achieve the same

standard and make Welsh rugby a great force again at regional level.

Let's hope the next step is not just a Pro-12 victory but Europe to come.

For now, they'll savour the moment and they deserve all the

celebrations and all the plaudits because the Scarlets have produced

some outstanding rugby to win that trophy. Well done, Scarlets, winners

in Dublin, second time over. They've beaten Munster 46-22 and Scarlets

are Guinness Pro-12 champions of Wales 2017. The joy etched on their

faces. You can see exactly how much it means to them, sheer

unadulterated joy. Delight for the players, thoroughly deserved. It's

the way they've played, it's the style of rugby we have witnessed

throughout the season. They've not just come and made victories,

they've put smiles on people's faces and that's the way to win a trophy.

Absolutely. They should stick to this style of play. They deserve a

lot of credit. The forward players have been good defensively. It's

obviously shown how much they are enjoying playing. I think it's

transferring down to the younger players. You reflect on the season

and look down to the Six Nations and think Dan Jones, Boyde, Williams,

you know, don't forget people like these who enhance your season. It

was great to see the players share with the other squad members. Aled

Thomas another one. Guys like Jonathan Davies, Grand Slam

tournaments, yes, but when you win things with your club, it's a bit

more special. They're the boys you deal with day in day out and it's so

nice, it's a different sort of feeling when it's your club compared

to internationally, but you can see how much it means to them, how tight

they are as a group. I can guarantee you over the last three or four

weeks, even when they have days off, they are looking forward to turning

up to training, enjoying the banter and what have you. Brilliant for

them. A brilliant way to finish the season. Rob Evans knows where the

camera is. Do you think there's anyone more delighted than he is?

He's been a big factor. To be fair to him, he's a modern prop. We

admire the All Blacks but he's improving and he's a massive

character in that group so it all goes well, and hopefully they can

back it up next season. Back to Phil Steel, who's with you now?

Much has been said about the non-playing Scarlet members who're

here. Peter Edwards, sum it up? Fantastic win, boys. Champions! Ole,

ole, ole. Enough said I think, a long night ahead for Peet and the

boys. Might be an early night if his condition is anything to go by

already. Have you been on the Guinness already? This afternoon,

long lunch. The scorer of the first try of the day, he is leaving, but

any regrets? I don't think so. It's special that he goes after this. You

have got to give him credit for what he's done for the Scarlets and where

he's come from. He's moving on to the European champions. He's going

on a Lions tour, which is fantastic. There'll be a tinge of

disappointment for him. It's very fitting and it was almost meant to

be and they've done it in style. Fairytale for Liam Williams. He said

when he signs for anyone else when his Saracens contract comes to an

end, he might be back. John Barclay standing in admirably for Ken Owens

the last two weeks and it's guys like John Barclay as well, I've been

seeing some tweets, is he on Warren Gatland's stand-by list for the

Lions because a few years ago he wasn't even in the Scotland team.

He's recovered his -- rediscovered his mojo. McNicholl, we haven't

mentioned him but he had such an influence. You can name every

player, can't you, and I mentioned in commentary, the guys like Wyn

Jones, Will Boyde, Ryan Elias, even Steff Evans to a large degree, the

start of the season not many will have heard of him but they're now

quality top, top players and knocking on the door of

international level. You hope it's not the end of something and the

start of something because there is so much potential within that squad.

On that point, when Connacht won this title last year, there was

almost a sort of element amongst those watching that they couldn't

back it up. It was a one-off, a cup year and everything came together

for them. You feel this is the foundation for the Scarlets, they

can kick on from the confidence? Absolutely. You shouldn't fear the

Irish sides, they are dominant yes, difficult to beat away from home,

but it shows Connacht and now the Scarlets that you can do it. You

back yourselves, the game plan has been very revolutionary almost.

They've played, stuck to their game, shows what you can do if you believe

in yourself and coaching staff and give youngsters a chance, as the

Scarlets have done. A lot of credit goes for that. It's a message to all

the Welsh regions. Look what can be achieved, take courage and

convictions and try and do it. Don't forget you can watch this all again

tomorrow night on the scrum-half Pro-12 Final Special, we'll relive

all the thrills and spills, watched in front of a record crowd this of

nearly 45,000, many of them Scarlets fans and many made a treacherous

trip across the Irish Sea in the rain that we had today and a lot of

them have been booking flights, planes, everything, it's been worth

it. Absolutely worth it, you know, those who made the trip out last

week. They were looking at flights straightaway after last week. They

were absolutely outstanding the fans today. The players have given them

something to cheer about. Not only for being winners but the way

they've won. Jonathan Davies is looking dapper as ever in his

three-piece suit. We have talked about the team spirit and the fact

the squad can kick on to bigger and better things? They've got to build

on this before manslaughter and for me, the -- performance and the way

they're playing is sensational. Confident, space awareness,

handlings of the forward, keeping a death. When the turnover happens.

Everyone spots it quickly and reacts. I just felt that, you know,

no-one expected them to win it, but to win it playing this way was

absolutely sensational. It is absolutely sensational, that sums it

up. Huge congratulations to the Scarlets from all of us here. It's

been an epic day here in Dublin, a fantastic game of rugby and, as we

mentioned, absolutely put Munster to the sword. The Scarlets are the 2017

Pro-12 champions. There goes Steff Evans with a run to

the line. John Davies. Back to Steff Evans. To me to you, to you to me...

Straight through. Davies. Skips over. Determined. Absolutely

incredible. It's a 50th try for him. Scarlets are going to have the last

word. Worthy winners and worthy champions.

We need to trap the beast which killed him.

Tear him apart! I want him found! Now!