Scarlets v Benetton Scrum V

An intriguing fixture awaits

tonight, the defending champions

against one of the league's most

improved site, Scarlets against

Benetton rugby.

Good evening and welcome to Scrum V

live from Parc y Scarlets. A warm

welcome to former Wales and Scarlet

winger Carol James, looking at the

Scarlets team sheet, we know they

have 14 away, but a strong looking

15.

Still very strong. A good blend

of experienced players, and less

experienced players. They have Scott

Williams and Hadleigh Parkes back in

the centre stop they will be pivotal

for Scarlets tonight. You have Tom

Prydie on the wing, he is exciting

to watch, and I love Johnny

McNicholl at full-back. I am excited

to see what they can do tonight.

A

big game for Scott Williams after

the disappointment of being left out

of the Wales squad. Benetton I have

referred to as one of the most

improved teams, since Conor O'Shea

got the international dog, both

sides have improved, what has

changed.

Conor O'Shea is having an

influence, system, structure,

organisation, and

influence, system, structure,

organisation, and crucially fitness.

Treviso Benetton are organised in

defence, it is much improved. The

defensive line, the gain line,

conceding less tries than the

Ospreys Dragons and Blues so far in

the Pro14 this season. Fitness plays

a big part in this. You used to get

Benetton in third or fourth raids,

but they have seasoned campaigners,

trusty left foot, look out for them

tonight. We know Benetton from

seasons past, they always have

something up their sleeve, a trick

play. Little plays, so it will be a

far sterner test than we have come

to see from the Italian side in the

past.

What makes mock things more

difficult, the pitch is greasy,

Scarlets love to play with with, do

they have to curtail their ambition?

It is perfect conditions at the

moment. Let's hope it stays dry, to

be able to put in running rugby,

creative and adventurous like they

do. They needed to be as dry as

possible. We want to see some great

rugby.

Speaking to Sean Payback, the

conditions would affect things, he

said.

As we saw in the European cup

against Bath, will they stick to

their guns?

Connacht was a dreadful

night, they went and scored some

wonderful tries. As did Connacht.

They tend to rise to the occasion.

When you are on top and playing

well, sides into the spirit of it.

Expect more from Benetton tonight.

But I think the squad depth of

Scarlets are too much for the

opposition.

Take us into Scott

Williams's mind, Carol. He was left

out of the Wales Quad, he is back in

now. How much will he want to prove

a point?

As a player, if I was left

out of the squad, I would be

devastated. It does shake you up a

little bit. He will be feeling mixed

emotions. But I am sure he is glad

he is back in now. He does have a

point to prove. Personally, I think

he has played excellent. He had a

great game against the Blues last

week, and he needs to do the centre.

Let's hear from his head coach.

We discussed the players away with

Wales, are you nervy about this

much?

I have a lot of respect for

Benetton Treviso and what they have

achieved this year. They played well

in the Champions Cup. We will be

tested tonight, we know that. We

have to start well as we did last

week, and see if we can put pressure

on them early.

You said you had to fight hard for

the win last week, are you expecting

the same from this Benetton side?

They are hitting form at the moment.

Yeah, look, the camera's Don...

Don't worry, they can still hear us.

We haven't switched you.

It is about

the start, and defending well. We

are aggressive at the breakdown, and

we want to play our natural game and

get some point early.

Thanks, Wayne.

The teams are coming out onto the

pitch, let's join our commentary

team for this one, Martyn Williams

and Gareth Charles.

COMMENTATOR: We are all here.

COMMENTATOR: We are all here.

Experience of Robert Barbieri and

Alessandro Zani. McKinley and

Hayward are in, but no place for

Benvenuti, who didn't make the final

cut. It is the first of three

meetings between the two teams over

the next six weeks. They are in the

same group in Europe as well. Home

and away, back-to-back fixtures to

come in December. But now, it's all

about the Pro14, and an important

period with the autumn

internationals here, where the

squads are called upon, and squad

strength is certainly being tested.

John Barclay returns after missing

the last three with a head injury.

Tadhg Beirne plays in a third

different position. Evans gets a

third start of the season. So does

Dan Jones at fly half and Tom Prydie

on the right wing. Asquith feels in

on the left. The two centres, Scott

Williams to lead the team. Four

Italian squad members on the

Benetton bench.

George Clancy of Ireland is

tonight's referee. So, the Scarlets,

6-7, and Benetton have surprised a

lot of people with three wins in

their seven games to date. Dan Jones

filling the boots of Rhys Patchell.

And Italian squad members, although

they play Fiji next week, released

for the games for Benetton tonight.

And Zebre against the Blues tomorrow

night.

Straight out, the ball was taken

back in. It is a Scarlet line in the

22.

Good evening, a fascinating

matchup. Normally Scarlets at home

against Anatol, you can only see one

winner. Scholars have been a victim

of their own success, missing so

many players to the Wales squad. It

is a really fascinating matchup.

Typically for the Scarlets, as has

happened in the last couple of

weeks, the weather has changed when

they did not want it. A bit greasy

underfoot, thankfully the rain has

stopped. We had a downpour before

kick-off. It doesn't really bother

the Scarlets. They will want to

play.

Lovely dummy runner by Johnny

McNicholl in the end. It is the same

kind of position from which Hadleigh

Parkes scored against the Blues last

week. The attacking intent from the

Scarlets obvious from the outset.

Jonathan Evans, scrum-half this

evening. David Bulbring...

Tadhg Beirne in familiar headgear,

wearing six this evening. Started

the season in the second row, and

has played effectively at eight.

Jonathan Evans gathers the loose

bounce, dragged down by Nasi Manu.

But all the early possession for the

Scarlets.

Sound defence, though, from Benetton

early on. Paul Asquith playing on

the wing this evening. He has played

there earlier this season, against

Ospreys.

John Barclay, good to see him

recover from that knock-on the head.

They are being forced back, the

Scarlets.

Just winning the battle of

the gain line, very organised and

physical.

See if they will try something

different. They have lost 15-20

metres. Directory from Werner

Kruger. -- direct carry. Certainly

good games. Lovely hands by Dan

Jones, and then Parkes.

Good discipline from Benetton as

well. They could easily have got

offside or given away a penalty.

Beautifully delayed pass by Dan

Jones, Rawlins is there to take them

up to the 22. Parkes tries to thread

it through. Advantage being played

by George Clancy. The Benetton

defensive coaches will be very happy

with that opening set.

Yeah, and the

Scarlets will be happy as well. They

have kept ball. Ask questions of the

Benetton defence. That will tire

them out. Not a great way to start

after three and a half minutes.

Great hands from Hadleigh Parkes.

Bronzini stepped off his wing,

little pass from Dylan Evans. Nearly

got the Scarlets on the front foot.

But then at an organised well, got

back their defensive shape.

Kieran Crowley and his coaching

team.

I think you know, only four

minutes in, but the turnaround in

the Italian teams this season has

been incredible, really. They

haven't made any major signings, or

brought new players, it has been a

case of fitter, more organised, as

if they have done a pre-season this

year, worked hard in the preseason.

So it has been good to see.

Dan Jones pops over the first points

of the evening. And even though five

minutes of pressure was relentless

from the Scarlets, they end up with

three.

Yes, a nice set of four Dan

Jones, first game of the year at

ten. Nice to get one in front of the

sticks to get your confidence. He

will feel a bit rusty, hasn't played

at this level for a long time. He

has Williams and Hadleigh Parkes

outside him to look after him.

Interesting, Rhys Patchell has

started every game. The tendency has

been to bring on Hadleigh Parkes at

ten, and maybe Paul Asquith. Dan

Jones gets a first outing, now that

the International call ups are

there. Rhys Patchell back in the

reckoning for Wales.

Jayden Hayward looks downfield. And

spots a gap as well.

A cross comes the Scarlets

scrum-half. And waiting for it is

Ian McKinley, it straight back out

to Hayward.

Tom Prydie to Dan Jones again.

Straight at Hayward. The Benetton

full-back getting a good, early feel

of the ball with a couple of kicks

downfield.

Scarlets spreading it wide. The back

three have done their job. Good

support from Naseem Arnoux. Forced

out by Tadhg Beirne, and Ryan Elias.

He is a real danger man on the right

wing for Benetton. He gets the

off-load await -- Naseem Arnoux.

They have a decent back three,

Benetton. Jayden Hayward has being

called up to the Italian squad. They

are dangerous on the counter attack.

I am slightly surprised that Luca

Sperandio is on the bench, because

he looked a handful against Ospreys

earlier this season.

He is quality.

You don't want to kick loosely to

these boys.

It is Andrea Bronzini

there again. Superbly played by Tom

Prydie.

Great kick from Dan Jones.

Great to take from Tom Prydie as

well. They will find it difficult to

get opportunities with this back

three, but a good kick from Prydie,

good skill from McNicholl as well.

He drops it on to his foot on and

takes it out of play.

Dan Jones has started in nicely this

evening.

Nice touch what you need

early an, especially as a number

ten. -- what you need early on.

Bronzini looks to give his brother a

run on the wing, but it is a bit too

far down to Prydie. McNicholl floats

it out to Asquith. The Australian

sevens player. Filling the big boot,

as they have turned out, of Steffan

Evans.

Fantastic work from Nasi

Manu. Isolated, in over the ball,

very strong player, Manu. Not

traditionally a number eight, or a

six. But a mismatch against

McNicholl and Dan Jones gets over

the ball, getting the steel.

Two

years with Edinburgh before joining

Benetton this year. This is his

first outing for the season.

Plenty

of experience in the back row,

Barbieri, the captain. They just

have to be careful in the contact

area tonight, Scarlets. Good hands.

Very well taken. Through's little

bit wayward. -- the throw was a

doodle bit wayward. Manu gets them

going in the right direction. Zani

lays it back. McKinley, a switch of

direction.

Brex, the Argentine centre. A word

of apology from Whetu Douglas.

A

good defensive set from Scarlets.

Benetton asking lots of questions,

like they showed early on, they are

innovative for an Italian team. Good

carriers, but that time, Douglas

overrunning. Up against the

Argentinian centre.

Whetu Douglas from Rotorua. Played

the first two games of the season at

number eight, but hadn't featured

since.

What will be interesting to

not, this is nip and tuck with 15-20

to go, you can look at both benches,

it is far more experienced on the

Benetton bench, to come on. A lot of

youngsters with an odd unity for

Scarlets. From their point of view,

you want to get if you scores ahead,

which is easier said than done, I

know that. Some real power and

experience on the bench for

Benetton.

Some leftover Halloween

suites there. You have a view of

those in your house.

Just if you, my

teeth...! -- just a few.

REFEREE:

Crouch!

First scrum of the evening.

Not

Not an ounce between them.

That was

a great scrum.

A good kick from Dan

Jones. A lot of ground to cover for

Jayden Hayward. Support from

Esposito.

Pulling the defence one way and then

the other. And a mistake from

Giorgio Bronzini, a gift to

Scarlets, a scrum right as close as

they can get to the try line.

He

wants the field to open up there and

swallow him. All the time in the

world, no pressure at all. He has

the Edward Scissorhands as he has

gone to pick that up. That is a

shocker, no one around him. His

forwards will be delighted with

that, let me tell you... Here we

are, Traore says not to worry about

it, but that isn't what he is

thinking, I can tell you that.

Absolute bonus for the Scarlets, a

kick to nothing, and an absolute

gift from Benetton.

They were looking for the gaps,

looking for the corners, trying to

stretch the defence, and they got

more than they bargained for with

that.

Absolutely. Going from the

first scrum, on the Scarlets boys,

it was really solid. A gilt-edged

opportunity for the Scarlets.

As

usual, fill in attendance with Pat.

What are the options here for the

Scarlets? Room on the blindside for

Tom Prydie, two defenders there

again, the scrum is rock-solid.

Parkes on the dummy runner. Dan

Jones came quickly, but he steps

past easily, and after a

well-organised defence for the

opening stages, it certainly wasn't

as Dan Jones steps over for the

first of the evening.

It was a gift,

the award of the scrum to the

Scarlets. An absolute reward in

defence for the Scarlets. They

seemed to have everything covered,

ignored Parkes going on the dummy

line, and it is a simple dummy. No

one, Benvenuti's man, just staying

on the inside shoulder, and a good

finish on Dan Jones Alsop holding

the ball in two hands, a little

show, and a great finish.

I said at

the start that may be surprisingly

Benvenuti hasn't made the Italian

were.

That's why.

Maybe that goes a

little way to expanding why. Dan

Jones converts his own try, and

Scarlets up to 10-0.

The perfect

start the Dan Jones. They have got

it all set up. Benvenuti, no need to

over chase, just stay on the inside.

He is not expecting Dan Jones to

show and go. A great start for the

young ten.

Parkes calls. Bronzini put him under

pressure.

Good harrying.

It is what they do so

well, Scarlets. Speaking early on,

sometimes they get a chance,

Scarlets, they are so clinical at

finishing opportunities. Once they

get in the 22, they are so

dangerous. They have so many

weapons. Maybe Benvenuti was

thinking he has Scott Williams and

Hadleigh Parkes, Scott Williams

outside him, one ion Scott Williams,

covering him.

Zani with the

line-out. Barbieri gets the return

ball. Bronzini back to Zani once

again.

Tadhg Beirne looks for the steel,

but Will Boyde was coming back from

an offside position. Does he fancy

free?

It defends if you want --

depends if you want to get point on

the board. Will Boyde just over

team. I think it was from the Rugby

before that, he has given the

offside, he has gone back late there

Clancy. As the rain starts to come

down.

It really is a tale of success for

the Dubliner, Ian McKinley. Second

game with Benetton, a year with

Zebre, after a serious eye injury,

that is why he wears a mask. Now on

the verge of playing international

rugby. Nicely done for Benetton's

first points of the evening.

I am

disappointed with that, Payback,

going ten points ahead. Poor kick,

really, a soft penalty. Allowing

Benetton to get back into the game.

Superbly taken by Whetu Douglas will

Superbly taken by Whetu Douglas will

McNicholl back in position. Another

Scarlets attack.

Interesting to see who will be doing

the work.

It will be shared around,

Will Boyde has carried a few times.

The scrum-half got the pass.

This time it is going to be aerial

from Bronzini. The brother, Andrea

Bronzini following up.

We will see plenty of this this

evening, with the conditions as they

are. Good work from Nicol again.

Lewis Rawlins couldn't quite control

it. George Clancy checking with his

touch judge, Justin Williams, who

confirmed that it did come from a

Scarlet hand.

Two good box-kick,

first from Bronzini, and a good

chase on his brother, and an equally

good kick from Jonny Evans. A good

contest from McNicholl, but as the

rain comes down, you will see a lot

more kicking from Lewis Rawlins, I

thought he had it. Baravalle just

gets a hand in. This will be

interesting, Benetton's first scrum.

We have seen from the Scarlets,

their scrum is very solid.

And

interestingly, not something you see

very often on the rugby field, you

see players getting a towel to wipe

their hands, Ian McKinley getting a

hand to wipe his mask to get the

rain his mask so he can see clearer.

Brex going the direct route stop

Barbieri on hand. So is Alessandro

Zani. Stuck on 99 caps for Italy,

the second row.

Can't we arranged a

Barbarians game for him, come on. On

99, Zani? That is a great kick, that

is. A great story, like you say, the

Kelley. Went out to Italy to play

amateur rugby after losing sight in

his eye, he could well line up

against Fiji next weekend for Italy.

A great kick from McKinley.

Jonny

Evans bringing John Barclay in.

REFEREE:

You are trying to buy the

penalty off me.

Certainly tied in, time is something

Dan Jones didn't have much of, and

he has done extremely well.

He's

down. I was just going to criticise

Jonny Evans, that was a really

difficult kick with 3-4 Benetton

players bearing down on you, but

that's a fantastic kick from Dan

Jones, from his own line to get it

near the halfway line. Great exit.

And from in front of the line-out,

we have some company.

Your first take on the game,

trailing by seven.

We have been

pretty composed. Scarlets got off

two basic errors. This will be a

tactical creaking game, it will be

crucial to get into the right areas

of the field, and try to play. It's

raining, so not ideal to play a

sponsor rugby. We have to keep

playing and keep defending.

You know they like to run with the

ball, are you worried it will be a

long night for the defence?

We know

Scarlets can hold onto the ball for

many phases. We have to be

disciplined, because with the

weather conditions, it is easy to

drop the ball. So we have to be

patient, composed and trust our

system.

You have been committed of

this season, has that been down to

the influence of Conor O'Shea, the

Italian coach?

Both franchises, and

the national team, we are working

together to try to get these players

more confident. We have started

better than last season. So we are

going in the right direction.

We

will speak at the end of the match,

thank you.

Yeah, confidence a good thing. Self

belief has been lacking after a

couple of poor seasons. But they are

believing in themselves, and the

results are bearing that out.

And

they look fitter this year. Over the

last couple of seasons, they would

be in a game for 15 minutes and then

wear off, but now they are in it for

90 minutes.

The ball was lost in contact.

You

will see a lot of that, guys coming

in for the strip. It is difficult

when you go in for contact,

particularly against two men. You

will see a lot of spilt balls.

Scarlets are struggling with the

gain line, Bennett in a very

physical. -- Benetton.

Dragons, 7-0 down in Cork.

Scott Williams on the far side of

the scrum. An interesting week for

him, the journey up to join the

Welsh squad and then back home for

this one before going back again

tomorrow.

From his point of view, he

would want to play. Bad news last

week. He would've been preparing to

play this game and was called up

last minute, so a sensible option.

Nice, neat and tidy.

Let's not tempt

fate. That is a well-placed kick.

Brilliant play from McNicholl. It

was a great kick initially, and then

you are chasing a lost cause. He

will run and try to charge than 1000

kicks over the season and not get

any, and that one, he got his just

deserts.

They have got the

experienced Gori on the bench.

They wanted to make absolutely sure

that time. Bronzini is feeling it.

If you are a second row or a back

row, you have got five minutes to

your cell. Everything is magnified

bust up a couple of really poor

touches so far. -- everything is

magnified. .

Scarlets have become very adept at

that rolling ball. Dylan Evans get

them one or two metres closer to the

try line. Sensibly let it go. It was

knocked on anyway. Untidy.

They lost

their shape a bit, which happens

when you go for a driving maul. A

bit of miscommunication between

Jonathan Evans and a couple of

performance. It is the first mistake

I have seen Parkes mate. -- make.

Parkes wasn't expecting this. He

thinks it was going to Barclay, who

was ready to latch on. You can see,

the conditions are very difficult at

the minute.

Not so much west Wales

as wet Wales.

McNicholl keeps the ball in hand

this time.

Rowlands has the advantage. A

penalty coming the Scarlets' way.

Jonathan Evans, a clean break - can

anyone join up with him? McNicholl

was trying his best. Now they've

lost it, and it looks like advantage

over as well. Scarlets were within

one pass of a second try. McKinlay

was just happy to get the ball off

the back.

He's not happy, either. He

was expecting one more hit up and to

get himself into a better position

to kick, but a brilliant break for

Jonny Evans. He's too quick for his

own team. Watch the defensive. I

think it is Hayward. He makes the

tackle, get back to his feet, and he

dives on the ball and gets it back

for Benetton. Brilliant play from

Hayward.

Great support from Johnny

McNicholl. A shame for the Scarlets

that Jonny Evans couldn't get...

That is much better. In the driving

seat. Now Bulbring and Lewis Rose

wins. The way it comes. A good

pick-up on the half volley from

Parkes.

A good period, this, for the

Scarlets. They need to round it off.

Incredibly slow in the end, though,

and that gives the defence every

chance.

Scarlets have to be patient. As we

saw at the beginning of the game,

have organised Benetton are.

They

have started inside the 22, five or

six phases where they were nowhere

near, and yet...

McNicholl tries to

get in on the act again.

That is good yardage over the gain

line. They are looking a bit thin

over on the left now. Jones, round

the back, to Scott Williams.

Williams getting past the defenders.

Beirne arrives. The ball is back

again for the Scarlets. Prydie

appears, inching closer to the try

line. Still getting ever closer, the

Scarlets. Slowly but surely. A lot

of green shirts outside Scott

Williams. The tackle count is

mounting. A penalty coming Scarlets'

way, but a try is what they want.

Still, they have possession. After

20 phases. Still, they have a

penalty advantage. Within striking

distance, but as the ball flies out,

John Clancy brings them back.

REFEREE: If you react like that, I

can't reward you. Let me deal with

it. You just leave the ball there

after I blow the whistle, OK?

An

interesting decision. Do they take

easy three go for the scrum? No, he

is going for the three points. Good

patients from the Scarlets. They

went through nigh on 20 phases

there, and a couple of times they

were getting through some good

footwork, especially from Parkes and

Boyde. Inevitably, when you go

through 20 phases of defending, you

will give a penalty away in some

form.

We saw the Dragons last week

with 100 tackles in 20 minutes.

Benetton have done 27 after the

half-hour mark. They concede a

penalty, and I think they will be

quite happy just to concede three

points.

I agree. It is one of those

scenarios where you don't mind

taking three points out that if you

are Benetton player or a member of

coaching staff. To hold them to

three points, you would take that.

Top try scorers this year. 31 so

far, the Scarlets.

They haven't really threatened to

score a try in the first half,

Benetton. A deliberate knock-on

given.

Tom Prydie couldn't help

himself. A definite penalty if we

see that again. That gives an

attacking opportunity for Benetton.

He is just trying to get in the way

of Douglas, get in the eye line, in

the channel. When you are swinging

your arms like that, it is a penalty

all day long.

Zanni wins the line.

Zanni wins the line.

Douglas lost the ball.

Douglas lost the ball.

Scarlets are

doing well. They are getting their

men up in the line-outs, putting

pressure on. It is never a ball on

their terms. It allows them to set

their defence well. Slippery

conditions like this, you go for the

ball. One man goes for the strip,

and other targets the ball.

Scarlets have had 73% possession.

Benetton 27%, so... And their

territory is almost identical.

An

old-fashioned strike against the

head, there.

A chance for Benetton,

through Ignatz here Brex. --

Ignacio.

I could understand they

wanted to keep that in play. It is a

relief for the Scarlets. You don't

see many of those these days against

the head. From the scrum.

One - zero

to the Argentine hooker. -- 1-0.

Barbieri has been hard done by

there.

You could argue that Barbieri has a

release. He is in a good position,

and the reason he is not cleaned out

is because the hooker is in the way

of Will Boyde.

Will Boyde in the scrum-half

position. It wasn't meant to go like

that. Again, Douglas... Hayward,

through the gap as well, into the

22. They haven't been down in the

Scarlets' danger zone very often.

They have lost it again. Baravalle,

and that is a let off.

He has chosen

to kick everything tonight, but he

does break the first tackle nine

times out of ten. I think that Manu

just overcooked the throw. You see

the break from Hayward here. He

fends off Scott Williams, and it is

just as Baravalle was by placing the

ball. Let off for the Scarlets.

Too good to be true, wasn't it? We

were never going to go 80 minutes

with every scrum perfectly set up.

An extra little bit of effort on

this one.

The first free kick of this half has

gone against Traore.

REFEREE: You're

standing foot must be inside the 22.

It is one of those, you want to win

the scrum. You will not gain

anything from this. Kick it into

touch.

With a free kick, there would

be time for the line-out.

A cynical

referee would give Benetton a free

kick out of this one.

Scarlets decide that enough is

enough. Just the one try in the

first half. All of the points,

including that try, to Dan Jones.

This is a very stubborn and

generally well organised Benetton

defence. They haven't threatened,

just one penalty by them. The

Scarlets will have to be patient,

keep their wits about them, and hope

that the elements are also in their

favour in the second half. Scarlets

lead 13-3. Captain Scott Williams is

with Catherine.

It seemed

comfortable out there, but in

difficult conditions - is it about

being patient and slowly building up

the points now?

Patience is the key

word. We have gone through a lot of

phases, and we have to stay patient

and hopefully the tries will come.

We mentioned their organised defence

- is it tough out there?

They have

improved a lot and they have some

very good players. They are

defending well and keeping us out.

We have to be patient and hopefully

things will open up this half.

We

will let you get on, Scott. Thank

you.

Patients, it seems, is the

watchword, Sean. They are ahead and

they seemed comfortable, but you

can't start spinning the ball in all

directions in conditions like this.

As we said, Benetton are much

improved in the defensive area. A

couple of lapses have obviously cost

them, particularly with the try.

When a team RS defensively strong as

Benetton, in the main, it takes time

to break them down.

Absolutely, and

what Scott Williams was saying,

patients is key. Crossfield kicks,

trying to get the winger is

involved, to try and dismantle this

very organised defence.

Remarkable

from Dan Jones. Best time last year,

he was the starting fly-half, but he

hasn't had a look in this season,

but he got his chance the night and

hasn't he taken it?

He is a talented

sportsman. An exceptional rugby

player. Ironically, it came from a

Benetton mistake. The scrum-halves

had a bit of a shocker in the first

half. This gave the Scarlets great

field position. A couple of lapses

here. You need your flanker to

really take care of the scrum-half.

He doesn't get off the side to look

after John Evans. There is a bite in

on the dummy run. Benvenuti has it

all to do. As soon as Dan Jones sees

a weak inside shoulder from

Benvenuti, he is in. He gets the

one-on-one, crucially.

We saw the

mistake from the scrum-half and it

looked ominous then for Benetton,

but the Scarlets proved that this

so-called second string have the

same predatory instincts as the

first 15. When they get close to the

line, they generally score.

It is a

credit to the players and the

coaching staff. The attitude they

have is embedded through the whole

squad, and they are playing with

continuity even in these elements.

We said Scott Williams had a point

above, but Dan Jones is saying, I am

a fly half, pick me.

He is doing

lots of different things. As Carol

said, a crossfield kick, beautifully

taken by Prydie, but they are trying

things. This against the angle kick

into that corner, where it is hard

for Hayward to defend. On that

angle, to get towards the half way

line... It has been a very

accomplished first half from the

young man.

We shouldn't ignore the

conditions, because it is presently

tick-mac drizzly -- because it is

drizzly.

The skills so far has been

on point.

Benetton, a theme of the

programme, the Conor O'Shea

influence, and apart from a couple

of lapses, they have been well

organised.

We need to see stronger

Italian teams. This is almost a

carbon copy for the viewers who

watched at the start of the show -

organisation, physicality. Look at

the gain line, they are pushing

forward, organise, far more in

control. And as I said, fitness

plays a massive part. The Scarlets

have gone through 20 phases, and how

often have we seen the Scarlets

break the opposition down way before

that? However, when they get lazy,

like this flanker here, the two guys

on the short side need the forward

ground. Jonathan Evans gets through

that gap, and they are tantamount to

doing that when they get tired, so

there are still opportunities for

Scarlets.

Coming back to the same

themes, the weather and conditions,

and we talked about than Jones

playing with the confidence of a dry

day. There are a lot of high balls

and kicks being put in. The Scarlets

are playing with the same sort of

enterprise that we associate with

this side week in, week out.

The

back three had been superb. Tom

Prydie, a little injection of pace,

linking up with Johnny McNicholl.

They are playing great, so secure

under the high bowls. -- high balls.

Kicking wise as well, spotting the

gaps, putting the back three and the

scrum-half under pressure. A great

chase by him. Scarlets moving up the

pitch, playing the correct areas.

And Johnny McNicholl also tried to

start a fight. He had to become down

a bit. Dragons are 43 down against

Munster. -- he had to be calmed down

a bit. Ospreys are in Edinburgh this

week, Blues are hosting Zebre.

Plenty more rugby coming to your

screens and radio sets over the

weekend. Phil Steele has picked out

a few highlights.

A full programme

of Premiership fixtures this

weekend. I will be watching Merthyr

against Cardiff. There will be live

commentary on Saturday afternoon.

Our GC... The Saints will be

marching three miles that way, to

hear, Caerphilly. The Caerphilly

chairman is on the line.

I am

looking forward to welcoming Saints

down here tomorrow afternoon.

Hopefully we will have a cracking

night in our new relief furbish bar.

You can see that on BBC Two Wales at

6pm on Sunday. We will have Jamie

Roberts and Sam Warburton on the

programme.

Do you think the lads are

looking forward to that first game

against Australia?

It is when you

find out who your test players are.

Some guys will thrive on that. That

is the difference between regional

players and international ones.

Another jam-packed programme to look

forward to. We can return to

Catherine, who has company on the

touchline.

I do. The men will be

playing next week in their first

autumn international, but before

then, the Wales women will be in

action. I am joined by two members

of the squad. Welcome, both. Alicia,

tell us about this special game next

week.

We will be playing a

Remembrance Day fixture. We have

played this game two years in a row,

and it has always been a special

occasion for us.

There is quite a

bit of crossover, a few of the Welsh

girls in that squad.

Yes, Sian

Williams, Gemma Rollins, a few girls

who cross back and forth. It is

exciting for them and us as well.

We're looking forward to it.

What

about the sevens? The sevens side

are doing quite well.

Next year is

Commonwealth Games, and we are

hoping to qualify for the World

Series just before the Commonwealth

Games. And we have done well this

season, in both sevens and 15s. We

had our highest finish in the year

rose, narrowly missing out to

England. For us to come so close to

a side like them, it is really good

for us. Let us just coming back now,

having beating a World Series side

in Spain, we're pushing on and

moving on.

The game is on Wednesday

night at Cardiff Arms Park at what

time?

7:30pm.

Let's bring Martyn

Williams in and talk about the

autumn internationals, that game

against Australia creeping ever

closer. Plenty of speculation about

the make-up of Warren Gatland's

squad. What sort of areas do you

think he is agonising over most?

Everyone is talking about that 10-12

combination, a lot of familiar face

is not involved. I am fascinated to

see what happens in the Welsh back

three. Steff Evans has got to play.

You assume the partners will be Liam

Williams and Leigh Halfpenny, but

who will play where? Will they do

what they did with the lines in the

three tests and have Williams and

Halfpenny on the wing? Will they do

what they did at club level's that

is the interesting selection, come

Thursday, when the is announced.

I

have to ask, we all know that Wales

and England, their forward packs

will be clashing, or is it training,

together. What on earth heart Warren

Gatland and Eddie Jones thinking?

I

think it is by Eddie Jones' request.

I think they are both wary. It is so

difficult to come from this level up

to the Rugby Championship level.

Look, you can't have a warm up game,

and this is as close of that is

going to be also I wish I was there

watching, because there should be a

few dustups in that. It should be an

interesting session, but I'm sure

both teams will get a lot out of it.

I may as well stay with you Martin,

because I think the second half is

about to kick off. Back to you guys.

COMMENTATOR: The two teams are back

out, and this rain seems to have

abated for the moment. Scarlets last

week were fairly confident in their

game, even though they found it

difficult to break the Blues down.

They found it difficult to break

Benetton down in that first half.

But they know they have the armoury

to score tries. Only one game this

season they haven't had a bonus

point, and that was against Ospreys.

It really is the first score in the

second half that will be so

important. If Scarlets can get one,

they can relax and open up.

Benetton, if they score, they can

make Scarlets very nervous.

Early possession for Benetton, which

they didn't have too much of in the

first half. Just over 30% mark.

Bronzini to McKinley.

Waiting for the maul for the

scholars, getting it as well. Well

before Traore went to ground.

Really

good work, very physical. Bulbring,

Lewis Rawlins, will Boyde, great

work to hold Traore up. Just too

high there. Rawlins, I did recognise

him without his headband on, he did

well with Will Boyde.

He did well to

drive up. He has a superb tackling

technique, Lewis Rawlins.

Lewis

Rawlins has been the unsung hero for

this Scarlets back for the last

eight months, when they went on the

fantastic run at the end of the

year. So much graft. Not the biggest

of second rows, but his tackle count

and work rate brings so much to the

Scarlets team.

Scarlets looking for a penalty,

maybe, but not getting one. They

will have to do it all again.

Trying

to win a penalty after that, John

Barclay, the second shove comes from

Benetton. At this point, Benetton,

they will be disappointed they

didn't get something out of that.

A big bonus having that man back

tonight for the Scarlets, so many

players missing, a player of his

calibre, John Barclay, his

experience, future for the Scarlets.

Fired out of the scrum from Ryan

Fired out of the scrum from Ryan

Elias's hook. Straight out of play

by Hadleigh Parkes.

A second mistake

in three years, in fairness! Usually

so solid, you don't expect those

sort of fundamental mistakes from

Hadleigh Parkes. Just giving

Benetton a sniff at the start of the

second half. Way outside his 22.

Nowhere near, was it.

One cap for

One cap for Argentina. McKinley with

a break. Oh, rounds Tom Prydie

easily. The first try, first score

the second half, to Benetton.

McKinley makes it an interesting

game.

Fantastic angle for McKinley.

Not sure what happened for the

Scarlets in the line-out,

defensively. He has got in between

Ryan Elias and Will Boyde. And

really well taken for McKinley, just

what Benetton needed. Just off the

top, going in between, both men are

a Lioness and Boyde, they will

discuss that in the team meeting,

for me it has got to be Will Boyde.

-- both men, Elias and Boyde.

Running a flat line, soft try for

Scarlets to concede.

Normally, the tail gunners, Ryan

Elias holds for the 12th man. You

expect Will Boyde, McKinley it's a

terrific angle.

Just drifts across the face.

McKinley can't add the extras.

We

can see it again. Elias is the

tailgunner, he is held. Because of

the angle he runs, McKinley, he

leaves the two players in two mind.

No one lays a hand on him, and a

great finish.

Well, it is the two

fly-halves with two tries, two

fly-halves with all the points so

far.

See how the scholars react to

conceding that try. Asquith,

dangerous ball. -- see how the

Scarlets.

A little change out of the Bath

defence, wet weather, in Europe. See

what different tactics they can come

up with.

No need to panic, scholars.

Still in the lead. Ultimately

Benetton are still Chesmain the

game. -- no need to panic, Scarlets.

Nobody claimed that one. At the

moment, Scarlets need another

school.

It is flat, a little bit of

uncertainty, not the usual

combinations out there for the

Scarlets. Lots of boys playing their

first games. Asquith and Prydie at

the back line, nobody commanding the

high ball. A lot of experience, as

we mentioned, to come off the bench

for Benetton.

One, Eduardo at

scrum-half, Lazzaroni on as well.

Changes being made. Sebastian Negri

on as well. Let's go back to pitch

side.

That made things interesting for

Scarlets, the score for Benetton.

Unless you put them away, they will

always be in the game. Tries like

that always seem to be the case with

Treviso. Hopefully, we can pull away

now, and chased the four points. You

know the boys out on the pitch very,

very well, have they got it in them

to react and get themselves very

much into this?

I think so. Set pieces have looked

solid or not. Dan Jones has come in

and looked solid. If you lovely

touches, hopefully, we will keep

running the game. You need to pull

away from Treviso, because they are

the kind of side that are always in

the game.

COMMENTATOR: They are keeping it the

-- in the scrum for too long.

I am

not sure, I think...

REFEREE:

Who was it a penalty

against? OK... The clean out is

around the neck.

Right on the 22.

Right on the 22.

A freebie for the

Scarlets. George Clancy has

penalised a Treviso player for

cleaning out around the neck.

Tadhg

Beirne just about hangs onto it.

Ryan Elias, joined by David

Bulbring. Gets them going forward.

Jonathan Evans...

Driven back, Anthony Parkes.

Well, very laboured, especially for

Scarlets attacks.

They can't get

over the gain line. It is difficult

then, it doesn't matter who you are,

you can get onto the front foot.

Well-organised defence from

Benetton. Winning the gain line is

difficult for the Scarlets.

Coolly

done by Dan Jones. Yeah, the ball

carrying isn't having much impact

for the Scarlets at the moment.

This is Bronzini, Dan Jones has

looked assured, doing really, really

well. Very accomplished at ten.

Lazzaroni wearing 23. Even though

he's playing in the second row.

WHISTLE

REFEREE:

Just a penalty.

Too early.

Throwing the ball away.

A

big gap in Glasgow, Leinster were

winners in Europe, but Glasgow

getting revenge in the Pro14.

Good play from the top. Getting in

the egg, so you can't touch him

there. He is lucky, because I think

he knocked it on before the hit.

Look at it here, he dropped it

before. So he got away with one

there.

Werner Kruger taking the team

forward, along with Lewis Rawlins.

The Scarlets do need to strike from

here.

Defence up quickly again. Barclay

receives.

REFEREE:

Advantage interference at

the breakdown by Benetton.

Hadleigh Parkes, Scott Williams on

the wing. Advantage still being

played on the offence on the

previous breakdown. They are

managing to slow it down, Benetton.

Rawlins almost driven over.

Johnny McNicholl has a look to the

short side will stop not too far to

go.

Tadhg Beirne, loose pass in the

field. There were men spare, had it

not been knocked on, there was a try

going.

You have seen so many

uncharacteristic errors from what is

such a clinical team, normally,

Scarlets. He has gone for the scrum,

Scott Williams. Brave call, that.

You two schools in front, but they

have gone for the scrum. -- two

scores in front. A brave and

confident call from Scott Williams.

It is an interesting one, because as

I was saying earlier, there are two

battles to come between them this

month in Europe. Those two, the

Scarlets have two get maximum points

to have any hope of going through.

Here now, it is one of those, with

hindsight... Is it a good decision?

I personally would have taken the

three. It moralisers Treviso a bit,

you have got to score twice. --

demoralises Treviso.

It is starting to get a little bit

messy in the last couple of scrums.

John Barclay obviously feels on top,

because he is keeping it in at the

back.

REFEREE:

First of all, I need you

driving straight.

It is keep straight all the time.

OK? You understand what I am looking

for here? No pushing before the ball

comes in.

An early Movember.

He has started

early. He looks very Wing Commander

-ish.

That looks a better scrum from the

Scarlets. Dan Jones tries to ghost

his way through again. Benvenuti

with the tackle.

Benetton ready to fly off that try

line.

They need to stick to their

systems here, Scarlets. They were

going off on ones and getting

isolated.

Elias, Tadhg Beirne with

him. The ball back to Jonathan

Evans. Bulbring, very, very close.

And it still Scarlets ball. Werner

Kruger is waiting. But it goes to

Will Boyde. Just can't reach out.

Again, it might be close. The ball

spilled over the try line at the

third attempt. Will Boyde was close.

Donovan Edwards was close. David

Bulbring was close. Nobody close

enough.

Great defence from Benetton,

throwing the bodies into the

Scarlets men, dislodging the ball.

Going for the corner this time, back

to the driving line-out. I thought

for all money they were over them.

Three stabs at it, but just couldn't

control the ball once they got over

the line.

They will have a dry up ball to

start with this time. Keep it off

the floor. -- dryer ball.

They have tried the scrum, now they

opt for the line-out. Tadhg Beirne

delivers it back to Dylan Evans.

Ryan Elias alongside him. There is

the hooker now wanting it to turn in

his favour. Still on his feet, try

line is so close. There is the ball

for Jonathan Evans. Again... It will

be a yellow card. Stopped short, but

a deliberate knock-on from Bronzini.

We have seen in recent weeks in

other games, giving penalty tries in

this situation as well. It will

definitely be a yellow card as well.

REFEREE:

Back you go. Do we need to

have a look at it, Tim? All right. I

am happy with a yellow card, do you

think something different?

Just a

yellow card.

It will be a yellow

card for Andrea Bronzini.

They may have another look to see

exactly what could have happened.

I

think it was Scott Williams who

asked the question, we would have

scored then, wouldn't we? Icon...

REFEREE:

The player that received

the ball was in a stationary is

itching, and another defender was

there.

He is covering there. You can't give

a penalty try there.

Correct.

I'm going to go here, guys.

Edoardo Gori was just covering.

So at the second time of asking,

Scarlets complete from the five

metre line-out? Again, it is the

Tadhg Beirne this time, untidy, so

they won't get the drive on. Elias

tries to get them going forward.

Jonathan Evans picks out Werner

Kruger.

It's all " staff, led by Tadhg

Beirne. That's better ball, quicker

ball, Dan Jones. Quick change of

direction to Scott Williams, back

into traffic, and the tackle of

Brex. Taken on by Dylan Evans.

So much possession for the Scarlets,

so much time inside Benetton's 22.

They need to come away with

something to show for it, but no,

they won't.

They were lucky they

didn't get that then.

REFEREE:

Advantage over.

It's frustrating for the Parc y

Scarlets crowd, must be even more

frustrating for the players.

You've just got to take your hat off

to Benetton here, their defence,

really smart play five metres out.

Scarlets tried to double bluff them

at the line-up. Here we go, this is

what they have struggled with all

night, when the line is set. They

tried to release and go again. If he

passed the ball there, there is a

three on one on the outside. Yes, in

the 22, but smart player initially

from the Treviso... Benetton pack.

Spoiling the Scarlets line-out five

metres out.

Parkes, very little change out of

this Benetton defence.

Scott Williams up very quickly

again, the Benetton defence.

This kind of broken play suits the

Scarlets more. The set defence looks

reroll the most.

Doesn't it. And a

Man Down in the Treviso defence as

well. Playing around this grey area

is very difficult.

Parkes goes for

the outside break. Scarlets driven

off it. Benetton have it. Somehow,

it spills out into the hands of

Jonathan Evans. Now they need to

spread. Lewis Rawlins, queueing up

on the left-hand side, the defence

struggling to get over it. Scott

Williams, low infringement, and

Esposito has time to clear.

Very, very scrappy, isn't it. The,

Scarlets running into brick walls,

really. I don't think there is

anything in that, just a little bit

of the shoulder.

Lazzaroni.

It

always looks worse in slow motion.

They are up for this, Benetton, they

have a sniff with the score from

McKinley. They have got to play

carefully, the Scarlets.

Flat ball to Parkes. But they have

made very little inroads.

That is so frustrating for the

Scarlets, they're losing that ball

in contact so often.

Yeah, these

conditions, this sort of game, it is

perfect for Benetton, it is stop and

start. You are going high against

the Benetton players, they are very

physical and strong in the body.

They have done it or not, they

double up in the tackle area.

Barbieri has had a huge game, very

physical, immense in the back row

for Benetton.

John Barclay has missed the last

three games. You wouldn't expect him

to last the full 80.

A different

player, Josh Macleod to John

Barclay. A good ball carrier, he

will bring a different dimension.

Losing the experience of Barclay.

Tom Price in the second row for

Lewis Rawlins.

REFEREE:

Don't use the hand.

Benetton will be more than happy

with that. They have defended, they

have got back out of their half, and

they haven't conceded, even though

they are a Man Down.

We waxed

lyrical about the Scarlets play, but

that is what they needed to do in

the last ten minutes and were just

turn Treviso. I know they have the

extra man and want to play, but they

have been playing around the halfway

line comment getting no gains out of

Treviso. It puts the pressure back

on the Scarlets.

That's what they were looking for,

near the try line. Jones, sensible

kick with a man short. Almost fell

for Paul Asquith... Tom Prydie,

sorry.

Sensible tactic, because they were

covering across with the winger in

the bin.

I will be honest with you,

I don't think both men working on

this, they both look at each other,

not quite sure who is going to get

it. He has judged Prydie knocked it

on before going into touch, so it is

a scrum to Benetton.

A quarter of an

hour remaining, the only score in

the second half, that McKinley try

in the second half.

Penalty.

Penalty.

Reference that is the second time,

so it must be a penalty now.

Federico Zani that time.

That is a

brilliant kick. Such a tight angle,

to get it into the 22 from there.

Great kick from Dan Jones.

They

couldn't have asked for much more

than that.

You do feel that if Scarlets get a

try, they could get a couple.

That

is what used to happen with Italian

teams, it could be an arm wrestle

for 60-6 to five minutes, but then

you have to score that initial try

-- 60- City five minutes. -- 60-65

minutes.

They have to play it now. Loose pass

from Jonathan Evans. Scott Williams

from a standing start. McNicol tries

to add a bit of pace. Benvenutiy

gets across.

Can they take advantage before

Benetton get back up to 15 men?

Dylan Evans laid it back. Jonathan

Evans, Hadleigh Parkes...

In steps Dan Jones, Tadhg Beirne.

Still, they won't give up, this

Benetton defence.

Yeah, they've got

a penalty for offside anyway. Tried

two kick a grubber.

Danny Williams

picks it up and schools. At long

last, they have broken this stubborn

Benetton defence. The skipper, Scott

Williams gets the try.

They have

been hammering away, and the

defensive line Benetton, just a

little bit of magic from Dan Jones.

Perfectly weighted kick, perfectly

weighted rubber behind the defensive

line. No scrum-half in the pocket,

no scrum-half cover ring. Does his

damnedest to get in, but a perfect

kick from Dan Jones. A perfect move.

It needed magic, it needed something

special.

Just grounded it there, Scott

Williams, I think. A very relieving

try for the Scarlets.

Dish

appointment that initially being

left out of the Welsh squad tempered

with inclusion at the expense of the

injured Tyler Morgan, and now a try

that is so important for his team.

Dan Jones adds the conversion to the

scoreboard, which has a healthy look

as far as the Scarlets are

concerned. Now, will Benetton chase

it and will things open up?

Here we

go again. They just had a free play,

and they knew the penalty was

coming, so it was time to try

something a little different.

That's

young Declan Smith. We saw him

playing for the Welsh under 20s last

year, and he is on at scrum-half.

Steff use is another former under

20s player. And he is in for Hadley

Parkes. -- Steff Hughes. As you

would expect, the Dragons making ten

changes and concentrating on home

matches, and getting a fair old

thumping in Cork.

Leinster have got a try back at

Glasgow.

Tom Prydie goes back into his own

22. Still in play. Bronzini is back

after ten minutes in the bin.

Now, Benetton have two attack if

they want to get anything out of

this game.

They will be tired as

well, Benetton. As fit as they are,

they have had three times the

tackles that Scarlets have had. This

is when it starts to kick in, these

last ten minutes, particularly in

the forward pack.

Well timed by

Bronzini.

Hayward weighs up the options.

Straight down the middle. McNicholl

is back at full-back this evening.

Do you think he is more comfortable

there or on the wing?

In the last 12

months he has been superb for the

Scarlets. One of those players who

is worth his weight in gold. Is he

Welsh qualified yet? You're not

going to lose him to international

periods yet.

Simon Gardiner is back for a second

spell for the Scarlets.

Kruger normally comes off the bench.

72 minutes, he will be feeling it

tonight.

There is Rhys Fawcett, making his

Scarlets debut. As is Taylor Davies

alongside him. A couple of

youngsters being blooded by the

Scarlets.

You get your first glimpse

of the stars of the future. They

will be absolutely buzzing tonight

to get an opportunity, even if it is

only for eight minutes.

221-year-olds. -- two 21-year-olds.

Just a little bit of over eagerness

from the youngsters.

Barbieri has given everything this

evening.

Getting more maybe than they thought

from this game. Ruzza has the ball

stolen from him. Smith... A bit of a

hedge hopper, but safely out of

play.

Scott Williams, so strong in

the body. I have seen him make so

many of these over the years, just

gets his hands on the ball, knock

sits out, managed to keep hold of it

as well. Credit to Benetton, that

you have kept coming all night. They

are a tough nut to crack, these

days.

The ball spilling and bobbing

around. Dan Jones lying very deep,

wanting a bit of protection before

he receives the ball.

I think he is

asking for a carry, not protection.

He has made good distance, but an

easy counterattack by Benetton.

Still in play.

Still in play. McNicholl, as always,

looking to counter. Looking to see

if there are any gaps in that

defence. Davies manages to get to

ground.

MacLeod is stopped in his tracks. He

had gone forward. So, Matt, your man

of the match call?

I think McKinley

has played well for Benetton,

Barbieri has worked his socks off.

For me, Dan Jones, at ten. He scores

a lovely try to get the Scarlets up

and running and then created the

second for Scott Williams. A really

assured performance for the start of

the season, so he is my man of the

match.

REFEREE: You are too far

apart, miles apart, which is why you

are falling over the cliff.

Just a couple of minutes

remaining...

You've just got to commend this

Benetton defence. The one early slip

against Dan Jones is really the only

time that they've let anybody

through.

Once they get set and

organised like this, they are so

difficult to break down. Even a side

of the Scarlets' quality really

struggled.

Bath didn't get a bonus point

against them. Toulon is only just

beat them in Europe. Benetton were

that kind of team, a real handful.

And they are getting back to similar

standards.

It is good to see as

well. It is certainly what you were

hoping for when they joined the

league. They seem far more

organised, a lot fitter and

hungrier.

They've only ever won ones here,

have Benetton. They were the last

Italian team to win here in Wales.

Can they get anything late on? Scott

Williams goes back to try to prevent

Sperandio. Paul Asquith is there

covering.

Will there be time for the line-out?

Yes, there will be.

For Benetton, if

they can get a bonus, they have

everything to play for here. They

know later I will get them a losing

bonus point and they will be

satisfied with that. If they come

away with nothing tonight, they will

be desperately disappointed.

Is it job done? Indeed it is. Just

one try in each half. It is only the

second time this season that the

Scarlets haven't picked up a bonus

point, but they have been made to

work very hard for just the win.

Maybe in the end they will settle

for that. Not their best performance

by a long chalk. Scrappy for long

periods against a battling defensive

minded team who made them fight for

everything.

One of those classic

November games where there is a new

site put together for the Scarlets,

lots of players away, probably

difficult against a dog-eared and

quality Benetton site. They have a

lot of quality there. They will have

at --... You will take the win if

you are the Scarlets.

A massive

contingent missing for the Scarlets

tonight, on international duty, but

they won't make that an excuse. They

will be done little disappointed

that they fail to secure out... A

bonus point. Just one defeat, at

Ulster, back in September. For the

moment, at least, they keep their

position at the top of conference B.

One try each half. Dan Jones got 15

of the team's 20 points. Scott

Williams, back from Welsh duty,

rounding things off. Ian McKinlay's

try and penalty by Benetton. They've

worked hard, stuck at it, Scarlets

were just too good for them in the

end. Another victory for the

Scarlets, beating Benetton 20-8. Man

of the man Dan Jones is with

Catherine.

Let's present you with

the man of the match medal. Any

disappointment that you didn't get

the bonus point?

At home, it is an

element that we expect. Benetton are

a much better team than they used to

be. The conditions played a big part

in the first half.

On a personal

note, good to have the game yourself

and good to get your name on the

scoreboard?

Is my first try in

league rugby for the Scarlets. A

good performance from the boys. If

they keep their winning ways, I

would say top of the league.

Personally, how important is it that

you make yourself back in the mix

for the number ten jersey?

It is

nice to have a game. To be fair, we

have good competition at ten, and

Rees has done an excellent job and

deserves his spot with the Welsh

squad at the moment. Hopefully I

will take my chance when it comes

and keep pushing Rees. We know it is

not a pushover, and away from home

as well. We know how hard teams can

be to beat away.

Well done, and

congratulations. STUDIO: Dan Jones,

deserved man of the match. Wayne

Pivac is with us. Congratulations on

a hard-fought win. You must be

pleased with what Dan Jones has

done.

He has been playing

semiprofessional rugby and going

well, so we thought we would get him

out there. He did a good job.

What

does the result tell us about the

strength in depth here at the

Scarlets. It was largely a reserve

side, and violet was an emphatic, it

was another win.

Benetton are a good

side, much improved from last year.

They are not... -- and while it

wasn't emphatic.

Benetton are much

better defensively, and fitter than

we're used to. Sean, what have you

made of the way they have improved,

and how much tougher on opponent are

they?

They are fitter and more

physical. This time of year is

difficult, losing players, and you

almost don't want to play the

Italian sides because they are more

up for it.

They bring more line

speed. There was hardly anyone going

into thes at times. They have

certainly improved. Kieran Crowley

is doing a really good job.

The last

three times you have been down here

it has been pouring with rain.

It

would be nice to get some better

weather.

Wales have Australia coming

up in just over a week, and there

was a big debate about who will play

full-back. Objectively, where would

you like to see it?

I think Lee has

really improved in the last month.

He is running good lines, beating

defenders, starting to find his

feet. I would like to see them both

playing.

Both in the same Beckley,

maybe interchanging?

I think Liam,

we used him on the wing, and he is

playing well at full-back. Liam

played well on the tour, didn't he,

so it is a tough decision for Warren

and that this -- and the selectors

to make.

Thank you for joining us.

We will let you get back to your

team. We spoke about the weather

before, Carol, and it became a

theme. On balance, would the

Scarlets be pleased to go home with

another win, still top of the

conference and still with just one

defeat?

Absolutely. They got four

points. Like you say, the weather

played a huge factor. We saw a lot

of errors in the second half, a lot

of spilt balls. It was

uncharacteristic.

Some of the

players defied the conditions, play

it like it was a summer's day. You

talked about McKinlay and how much

he has improved and what he has

added to the Benetton site. We know

he has got the box of tricks, but

did we know he had that much pace?

Experienced and much improved. He is

at the tail, and in front of them

they have been lifted. He has

McKinlay and the blindside wing. Tom

Prydie is the option. He stepped

round and got a great try. They will

be disappointed on Monday when they

review that because they have a

contingency in place.

John Barclay

has just joined me. First, a strong

moustache - what do you have to say

about that?

You have to do it every

once in awhile, don't you? It was

good to get 60 minutes under my

belt. I was running out of time to

get gametime, so thankfully it came

good just in time to get 60 minutes.

What is the overall feeling after

the game? We spoke to Wayne Pivac.

The conditions were great and

Benetton are tougher than we're used

to seeing them. In the past you

would have gone for a bonus point

but were you happy to get the winter

night?

Not to be disrespectful to

Benetton, but it is good to get the

win. It wasn't a great game of rugby

probably to watch. You guys had to

suffer through that, but you can't

underestimate how slippy the

conditions are. We're trying to play

and not deviate from the style we

are playing, no matter the

conditions. I thought we handled the

game well. We weren't under Rennie

stressed about, I felt.

What does it

say about the depth building in the

Scarlets squad? A lot of those guys

were reserve players and came off

the bench and had barely played

regional rugby - does it give you

confidence going forward?

It has

been coming through for a couple of

years. There is a conveyor belt of

talent, certainly the last couple of

years, during the International

window, we seem to have done

particularly well. Last year, we

picked up a lot valuable points.

Sometimes you lose track of the

bigger picture in these windows, but

it was nice to pick up some points.

Scott Williams is on his way in. He

will pinch the microphone from you.

Congratulations, Scott, another

victory for the Scarlets. Not the

best of games or conditions, but you

have got the win.

A bit of a scrappy

game, but we got what we wanted in

the end. We knew they would be

tough. In fairness, we have

previewed them and they are not the

team they were in the last couple of

years. They want to throw the ball

about, and they did kick a bit more

tonight.

Carol was picking you up

before the game. -- bigging you up.

It was tough conditions to be able

to throw the ball about, but yeah, I

thought I didn't do too bad.

It has

been an emotional fortnight, I

should think, for you, Scott. Was it

satisfying to score a try tonight in

front of the Welsh selectors?

It

seems I can only score when Steff

and are not here. I can only control

what I can control, and that is

making sure to train hard and put

the performances in on the field.

The Wales and England forward packs

will be going against each other in

Bristol on Monday. That is an

intriguing development sec name-mac

-- an intriguing development - what

do you make of it?

We know each

other's calls, and sometimes it's

hard, but I suppose when you train

against an opposition who don't know

your calls, you can really test what

you been practising, and I'm sure

that's why they've been doing it.

Make sure the calls begin secret,

especially with the Six Nations only

a few months away.

It is all in

Wells, anyway.

Of course! -- make

sure the calls remain secret. We

mentioned Dan Jones, man of the

match - Scott took at incredibly