Pro12 Final Special Scrum V

Out on the wing is Llyr Williams, in his final game in Scarlet colours,

Timmy, to you, to you, to me. Davis skips over. Determined. Absolutely

incredible. The 50th try. The Scarlets are going to have the last

word, worthy winners and worthy champions. So, the domestic season

is done and dusted and the Scarlets are the 2017 Pro12 champions. They

came here to be Aviva Stadium in Dublin and blue monster wave. Let's

remind ourselves of the wonderful evening. COMMENTATOR:

Ryan playing his last game in amongst a kit. So is Conor Murray at

scrum-half. Bleyendaal, the Pro12 leading points scorer, the back

three with over 80 league tries between them. No Ken Owens or Jake

Ball, but Eliasson and Rawlins have done an excellent job standing in

and have been rewarded for consistencies. Williams's farewell

game for the Scarlets before joining Saracens, Evans reprieved after

seeing red at the RBS last week. Patch up just a point behind Brian

Dial in the top scorer stakes of the Pro12. -- patch shall appoint behind

Bleyendaal. APPLAUSE The deaths of those in

Manchester suitably remembered as sport plays its respects. Anthony

Foley's son with Nigel Owens the referee today giving the match ball

to Patchell. Patchell gets the game under way.

The Scarlets in red, Munster the team in blue this afternoon. Munster

comfortably victorious over the Ospreys, the Scarlets superb against

Leinster to reach here. Good weight on the ball, every

chance to run onto it, but Liam Williams, the bomb diffuser is

there. Dragged out of play by CJ Stander.

McNicol, two men outside him, to back rowers, James Davis the first,

Conor Murray with the tackle. Barclay. Ball is therefore Gareth

Davies, Patchell... O'Donnell with the big hit. The crowd loving it.

Holding on against Rhys Patchell. Should have been inside ball, watch,

and inside runner with two players. The scrum defences going wide -- the

defence is going wide, good communication between scrum-half and

winner, had that ball inside the Scarlets would have been a force. An

opportunity missed. Jonathan Davies over to the far side alongside Steph

Evans. Pressure on that Scarlets scrum.

First penalty and set play going Munster's way.

Bleyendaal leads leading points scorer, no trouble getting the first

points of the final, putting Munster ahead 3-0.

Rob Evans driving on, but not driving very far, Munster holding

their ground. Scott Williams is first receiver. Taute on as a

temporary replacement for Iscan all. He is undergoing a head injury

assessment -- a replacement for Rory Scannell. Free play, they have a

chance to go here. Patchell, McNicholl knew the kick was coming

and on the wing is Liam Williams, and they don't need a penalty

because Liam Williams on his final game in Scarlet colours has got the

first try of the afternoon and put the Scarlets ahead. Lovely, lovely

kick, watch the bounce favouring Scarlets. Kick it, that's it.

Free play at the moment for the Scarlets. They are struggling,

Munster. Great strike from Rhys Patchell, and

as we approach the end of the first quarter it is an excellent start for

the Scarlets. Dangerous but effective from the

Scarlets. John Davies on the outside of Scannell, Steph Evans on his

outside, there goes Evans with a run to the line for John Davies, back to

Steph Evans, to me, to you, to you, to me, and it is trying number 13

for the league's top try scorer. Brilliant, brilliant break-out. The

Scarlets at their best. The extras come from Rhys Patchell,

and it's getting better and better for the Scarlets.

McNicholl. James Davies. LAUGHTER Finds Shingler and he goes tearing

down the ring for Evans again, across comes Murray and Earls, Evans

steps back and sides, feeds them... Davis drops it and it's gone

forward. It was an even better approach that time and that would

have been one of the tries of the season. They imploded. Unfortunately

you have to scroll these tries. You cannot afford to miss those

opportunities in this game. Captain John Barclay. James Davies.

Bleyendaal is playing at full-back for Munster. They are just rotating

the last man left and right, Zebo is doing so much running, it is

amazing. Williams takes a up and go straight through, to Davis, Davis

skips over, he's over the try line, but will it stand? Was the path

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

have to wait and see. . From that angle it looks good. That will do

nicely, it is trying number three. Pressure. They need to get out.

Barclay goes to the brine side -- blindside. Lewis Rawlins. Beirne

determined an effective 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, with Beirne making it dream world for the men in red.

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

pulling clear. Saili with a half-break down the

pass. Good interplay by those two. O'Donnell. Murray spots half a gap

and goes for it. Looks for support. Patchell gets Battaglin, support

slow in coming, Zebo to Ryan's. Munster have to go down the

right-hand side. Shingler hounding his man. Scannell... Brilliant

defence by the Scarlets under pressure. A man down against

Leinster last week. Better play, they are going through the phases.

They have dropped it, and the double knock-on will give Scarlets the ball

back and a breather. CJ Stander at eight, they are going

for the drive, Stander picks up the ball. Saili comes on the charge, a

dummy run, and Tyler Bleyendaal boasts his way over. Munster get a

sniff in the very last minute of the first half.

Zebo steps in at ten. Davies. A cross comes Williams, creates the

space behind forwards defending there. Peter O'Mahony trunk ratchet,

Zebo in all kinds of trouble from McNicholl. Good play from Munster,

they kept possession very well. Again, they couldn't break through

so they kicked. Results for the Scarlets defence. Now they have been

pushed back to the 22 as well. They just look more comfortable. Take the

points, absolutely. Rhys Patchell, safely inside that far post, and now

it becomes for squirrel game again. -- four squirrel game

Zebo at our support inside from Keith Earls, Earls into the 22. Not

a fine touch there. Bleyendaal can't get his kick through. Patchell stabs

it in again. They are at sixes and sevens, they have no confidence with

ball in hand. Rawlins again with the hit. Even when they have Zebo, the

speed of the Scarlets getting back into defence yards in front of the

Munster players stop . Again, solid scrum. Williams,

short side, that's it, look. A bit flatter than he needed to be,

actually. There is confidence and those confidence. -- there is

confidence. John Davies, though, hits the gap, after halfway support

comes from his brother James. Not done by Shingler in the tackle.

Everybody... They won't stop. Yes! A quarter of an hour of the second

half gone, 25 remaining. Scarlets defending a 22 point lead as Conor

Murray puts the ball wide towards Conway, McNicholl has to watch the

bounce, taps it and that goes Evans to cover, three Munster men to put

pressure on him near the Scarlets try line. The Scarlets have done

well, they have flooded back there to support the winger. Steph Evans

did well there. Not giving a penalty way. Only a few metres, though.

Well, the kick, again, is the best attacking option. -- is their best

attacking option. He just got caught a little bit. Steph Evans is doing

exceptionally well, goes in, McNicholl goes back to help him,

Scott Williams is in there. They scored a try from a line-out at

the end of the first half, Munster. Looking to keep themselves in this

game, Munster, driving towards the try line. Penalty comes their way

and it could be yellow. Danger area. I am going to penalised the first

offence. He flies in. That's a penalty. He stops. Can't drop your

shoulder into somebody's back like that. That's a penalty. It is a

penalty. Good flick on by Scott Williams. Van

der Merwe is still going and he's done it! A 50th try for DTH van der

Merwe, he's meet -- reached his last century in his last game. The

Scarlets come alive in the second half and they will be crowned worthy

champions. It's such an easy play. Quick hands by Williams again and

it's a brilliant finish. Liam Williams continues with his

successful kicking. Charged down by Duncan Williams.

Shingler wins the race. The effort is still there.

Conway heading for the corner. A cross comes Williams. But Conway

with a superb finish. Too little, too late for Munster. Crumbs of

comfort as Conway gets the first try in the second half for them. They

couldn't communicate to stay on the fast man. Valiant effort from

Williams. Easy finish. Interception... We said Munster

would keep on fighting and they are doing. But even then it won't be

enough. Quick conversion. Two late tries for Munster to spoil the

Scarlets party a little bit. Tadgh Beirne is not going to let go.

Still they persist with the kicking. Davies... The Scarlets are going to

have the last word. 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. The Scarlets are worthy winners and worthy champions. Liam

Williams signs off with two more points and the Scarlets sign of the

season in style. At long last, Wales have their hands

on the Pro12 Trophy again. It's been five views in waiting, it's been 13

years in waiting for the Scarlets themselves. Ken Owens, before he

joins The Lions, joins his team-mates. What a moment for the

Scarlets. Worthy, worthy Guinness Pro12 12 champions in 2017. They

have been superb. A truly historic day at the Aviva

Stadium. Scarlets are the 2017 Pro12 champions. We'll analyse how they

did it in a moment. First let's hear from the victorious players and

coaches. Wayne Pivac, how does that feel?

Very special. Their research happy from the boys, they put in so much

hard work. Last week we were really tested. The character within the

group, down to 14 players, and to back it up today. Three trips to

Ireland in five weeks and a game against the Ospreys. Terry Brown. We

knew we had to play for each other. -- very proud. We knew it would be

80 minutes from the best feeling we've ever had. You can't stop

smiling. It's the way the Scarlets have played, with a smile. It's like

that every day in training, we're just happy to be there. We take it

to the field and way happy to play for each other. It's the brand of

rugby we want to play. Even with a wet ball, the boys chanced their arm

and backed themselves. We came here and the Irish media gave us no jobs.

All the talk was about Munster, it was the same against Leinster last

week. -- gave us no chance. We knew we could win and we delivered

tonight. Did you think it would be that easy? The game was almost over

by half-time. We had confidence. We knew they would come out quickly, we

knew they would be passionate and everything that goes with Munster.

But we managed to weather the storm and we put some tidy rugby together.

The commentators said you started with a front five, where you up for

it? It's the whole team. I couldn't ask to play with a better bunch of

boys, we're like brothers. I'm coming to work with my best friends.

It means a lot to everyone. John Barclay, skipper on the day, what

was it like for you? Unbelievable. The culmination of a long season.

You saw the way we try to play the game, it was unbelievable. We said

we wanted to be back at the top table and I'll feel like we're there

now. The unity within this group I've never felt before, the

camaraderie. Such a togetherness. If we can keep that next year, there is

no limits. We are hitting peak form, if we can continue next year, we

will target Europe and the Pro12 again. Tonight we're going to enjoy

it. We started something tonight and we want to build it. We're not

perfect. We will go away and prepare for next season. Is room for

improvement in terms of personnel as well as style? We are happy with the

group we've got. Disappointed to lose DTH, but if we get a few beers

in him tonight, we might talk him into staying. Just a few? That was a

joke! Sheer delight on the faces of the

Scarlets coaches and players. Three guys who enjoyed watching that

alongside me. Martin, some that up. The Scarlets came to Dublin, against

the odds, with the crowd against them, and they blew Munster off the

park. You can't over emphasise how big a result that is, not only for

the Scarlets but also regional rugby. How often have we done this

and there's pelt is about regional rugby. Scarlets haven't spent

millions of pounds on players. They've shown what can be done,

they've shown if you get a great group of coaches together, the group

of players who work hard free Java, you get results like that, not just

a night but last week as well. To come here with 90% Munster fans, a

home game for Munster, and dominate them in nearly every part of the

game... Probably one of the best Welsh rugby stories, let alone club

stories. They've got some rock stars in this squad. But also some unsung

heroes and grafters. What does it tell us about the culture that's

developed? It says a lot. You can see the bond between the coaches and

players. The ones that played in the final and those off the field, they

celebrated together and it was amazing in the changing room.

They'll never forget this. It's about podium finishes and they

deserved it. They showed the courage of their convictions early in the

season, they had a style and a game plan that they stuck to. They had

injuries, but they played it through the season. There's no better way to

win it. You could forgive them for retreating into their shells a bit

here in the furnace that is the Aviva Stadium. The boys said before

the game they have to play the way they've played all season and they

did that. Enterprise, panache. It worked for them because they scored

some fantastic tries. What I liked about it was the last 20 minutes.

They didn't need to play that much, they kicked long and they could fill

the defensive lineman and Munster were always chasing the game. By

doing that they were forcing the errors and that's when turnovers and

trays -- tries came. Wayne Pivac has encouraged them to play with the

ambition and get the ball wide early. No try epitomise that more

than Steff Evans. Giving the players the will to play from all areas has

come through in the latter part of the season. Controlling their depth,

good passing skills, and it was very evident in this dry. The Scarlets

force them into so many errors. They are showing the depth needed.

Munster were very narrow in the game in attack and defence. Shingler

passing the ball. Great skills, controlling their depth. I

highlighted Rob Evans on the inside, Davies and Williams. The energy and

the will to support their team-mates. It typified their

season. We talked about the rock stars, but some of the guys who have

stepped up in recent weeks, they've been without Jake Ball for the

semifinal and the final, Rollins and Beirne, most fans probably hadn't

heard of them but they are almost household names now. Tadgh Beirne

has been the find of the season in the Pro12. Watch them, not just

tonight, but last week in Leinster as well. Down to 14 men, the effort

they put in, the hard yards. The pretty boys get the glory, but this

is invaluable. When the second rows have this much energy, winning

turnovers, making tackles, getting back on their defeat, the heartbeat

of the team. Kudos to somebody like Lewis Rawlins. Lots of panic when

Jake Ball was injured, but he stepped up. He would never have

played in a game as big as last week or this week, but it was to the

Manor born. The coaches look at the contributions of all players. When

your second rows have high contributions and they are

effective, the team functions well and they did that. You mentioned the

change in tactics, reverting to a more pro-black -- crab Matic game.

-- pragmatic game. He had support runners on each elbow, van der

Merwe. It showed willingness in attack and defence. It's a lovely

pass from Parkes and a fantastic finish. You can see the support on

the inside. Two runners on his inside. If he wasn't such a good

finisher and he passed it inside, they would still be happy. The

workrate is second to none. Looking to the future, we talked yesterday

about how perhaps Connacht's victory, the foundations weren't as

strong. You look at the Scarlets squad, strength in depth, there's no

reason why they can't defend this title and do something in Europe.

That's the challenge. There's a really good culture, a strong base,

you've given youngsters a chance and they've shown they can perform

against the best teams. You've got to kick on and develop. Competition

will come into play, hopefully they'll add to the squad. That's

part of building a legacy and perpetual successful stop I'd like

to see Scarlets come out in their thousands to support them because it

could be a really good time for them. They probably won't be

thinking much about defending the title yet, but for the international

players, there's no time to rest. The Lions flight to New Zealand on

Monday and I caught up with Sam Warburton a few days ago and he told

me how big the challenge ahead will be.

To beat New Zealand, the best team in the world, we have two become

potentially the best team in the world to beat them. That's the

challenge, doing that in the next short time period. Four years ago

there were chances where people could have a social, have a couple

of beers, do things like that. That's quite a good way to get to

know players. The games are coming so thick and fast, there won't be

any time. Like that. Going through difficult training and games is what

bonds players. Going through the motion and the pressure of a week

building towards a game, the emotions of a game and afterwards,

nothing beats that from the team perspective. Going through victories

and defeats brings the team together. Every game I feel we will

get closer and closer as a squad. Going through those games will be

important. I am looking at the last tour we had

a New Zealand and we went out after not playing for a few weeks. Even

though we did well in that first test the pace of the game still took

us back a little bit because you're not used to it, it is different down

there than up here. Shaun Edwards said that to us when we toured

Australia in 2012, in the southern hemisphere is different to coming up

here. I didn't know what he meant cos I haven't been down south

before and after going down south, it is different, it's a lot quicker,

they play with more confidence than perhaps they do when they come up

here. If you can get three games under your belt, three games worth

of minutes going into the test, you physically Aaron O'Brien place to

hit the ground running in the first test. You hope there are not too

many injuries but if you are fortunate it could work out is good

preparation. You will lose some games, the aim is not to lose any

but chances are you'll a couple, at but as long as you are sure you are

better than a week after it is all about the Test series then. Sam

Warburton, the Lions captain, looking relaxed although under no

illusions about the size of the challenge ahead. Interesting points

he was making about the southern hemisphere sides, New Zealand in

particular being almost twice as hard to play in their own backyard.

Does that chime in with your experience? Definitely. Like you

mention, New Zealand in particular, they come out and come at you

straightaway, they don't try to squeeze a 9-3 victory, they want to

score tries and that is the only way. They play so positively and

they know in the northern hemisphere perhaps we don't play an 80 minute

game of that intensity so from minutes 1-80, that's the difference.

In the northern Hemisphere, Six Nations, there is a drop-off in the

last 20. There is on to New Zealand. The bench come on and the intensity

doesn't drop off. That is what he is alluding too, that is the biggest

difference, and that is where, there is all this talk of the Lions

starting 15, the Lions bench will be as important as the starters on that

tour because that's where the game is won and lost. Speaking of which

Warren Gatland is probably breathing a sigh of relief this weekend, two

big domestic season, with no major new injuries for him. Vunipola

withdrew during the week, obviously a blow, but in Faletau we still have

a world-class number eight. Yes, and for a coach, Toby has almost had a

mini pre-season, and will be hitting form let's hope in the Lions tour.

Talking of form, Jonathan Davies has come on so strong at the end of the

season, Jack Nowell has been excellent for Exeter Chiefs, so

there are guys functioning. It is an exciting time. Not much time to

prepare and they will need to get up to speed quickly but the strength in

depth of the squad is something to behold. Hustlers and for Vunipola

and it has brought up the topic of being a good tourist, apparently he

is as good a tourist as a player. What constitutes a good tourist and

why is it important? I think that's why Scarlets have been so

successful, they have James Davies who for all the good he brings on

the field he brings an awful lot of the field which cannot be

underestimated. The likes of James Haskell, speak to everybody about

him, they say he's a character. He will bring that. Whether it is just

that little bit all whether he will -- they will feed off his energy, he

is huge for the squad. And believe me in New Zealand you can't get away

from the game so you need those characters. You need a sense of

humour! Yes, Sam mention, on the field and off the field, there's

nothing like it, when you go to Australia, it takes five weeks

before they realise the Lions touring. As soon as they are off the

plane in New Zealand they are on the front pages, the back pages, all

over the news, it's constant, so they need those characters to break

it up a little. First game coming up very shortly on Saturday against a

cobbled together barbarian side although with more prep time than

the Lions. It is the only game on that tour they should win, do you

want to play in that? Believe me, when you are in the squad the first

thing you want to do is get the first game and your belt, get the

jersey on. There will be so much anticipation. The guys who have been

in finals will miss out that game. It is imperative to get a good

start, get a feel good factor, because there are tough games after

that. Plenty of coverage coming your way on the BBC, the website, radio

and TV as well on the forthcoming Lions tour.

If you're not already excited we have a couple of special

documentaries on the way. Gareth Thomas has been down under to find

out exactly what it takes to beat the All Blacks, and we have also

tried to delve into the mind of Warren Gatland, as well. Warren

Gatland is a winner. I fight in very good company, dry sense of humour.

He was once famously described as a menopausal warthog. He is the poor

Hollywood of rugby, a good-looking guy. You are like the fresh Prince

of Bel air! How do you beat the All Blacks? That is a fair question.

Have you had any education doing this job? I have something to learn.

How do you beat the All Blacks? I score more points. I knew you'd say

that! Well worth watching those, I can guarantee you, both

documentaries coming soon to BBC Wales. Not just the Lions heading to

New Zealand, Wales had their next month as well to play Tonga in

Auckland before taking on Samoa at home. A lot of uncapped players in

the squad looking to make their mark. Keelan Giles is one of them.

Giles, has a bit of space ahead of him, needs no invitation, steps up,

and Keelan Giles is a way. Keelan Giles does the rest. Giles... What a

try! What a try by Keelan Giles. I don't think it's quite sunk in,

really. I will take it step-by-step. I think it hasn't really sunk in

yet. How do you cope with the fact that you got to do this interview,

that people talk about you constantly, your name always on

Scrum V and the newspapers, or is it no issue? It's not really an issue.

It partly comes with the job, really, so I don't take much notice

of what other people say outside of rugby, I just focus on the rugby and

let that do the talking. In terms of UN being a player, who we are your

heroes growing up? Growing up, Shane Williams was one of my heroes

growing up. I spoke to him once or twice briefly, but I was quite

nervous. He sent me a message saying congratulations, so that was nice.

It was nice to get that message from him. Having been in there before

now, does that make you hungrier to win the first cap or are you not

that bothered, it will come? I think I have had a taste of it, training

and stuff, so I am hungrier than before, really. What would it mean

to win a cup? It would mean the world. I grew up wanting to play for

Wales and get back up so it would mean the world, be a proud moment.

And these are the dates for your diary.

Keelan Giles very much looking forward to the Wales tour, he nearly

got his cap against Japan in the autumn and will surely get a cap in

the summer. Him and Steph Evans, two exciting prospects on the wings,

little guys with huge work rates, different from the windows we have

seen for Wales, but the way Evans and the Scarlets play, is that the

blueprint for the new Wales? Let's hope so, in the autumn and the Six

Nations we saw development in the Welsh game, Tipuric and Moriarty and

the wider channels. Let's hope we see more development of the Welsh

game. You cannot say enough about Steph Evans. Keelan Giles is so

exciting as a talent, we want the ball in his hands and don't forget

Cuthbert, fantastic for the Blues towards the end of the season. Let's

even with the ball in their hands. A mixed sport this one, 12 Welsh Lions

not in it, but you have some guys at one end who never thought they would

get a cup, some of the other just coming through the academy

system with the regions. What is the aim of this tour, is it to blood new

players or wind two Test matches? Four metres international rugby.

They have to win the game, but there is experiencing the squad, Williams

and Roberts, and a sprinkle of talent, wherever it is, they have to

win the game first and foremost for me. Rhys Patchell seems fantastic

here, interesting selection, Dan Evans, playing consistently all

season, so a few interesting calls and hopefully sooner or later we

will see them on the international stage. In terms of the opposition,

then, two brutal teams to play against, both taking no prisoners.

Does the Welsh one have the look of a squad that can beat those teams at

home? It will be difficult. Two different atmospheres, conditions

could be difficult, very hot maybe which the Welsh boys are not

used to, hard grounds, then Tonga in Auckland will be like a home game

for them so they will see this as an opportunity to not Wales over

without the Lions. The beauty of these tools when the Lions are away,

players will be exposed to international rugby and you find out

for better or worse who was up to the task. I am looking forward to

lots of players because we have only had three new caps since the 2015

World Cup so a lot will be there for the first time and it will be

interesting to see how they stepped up to the next level. They will be

on the doorstep of the Lions if injuries occur of course and Warren

Gatland needs to call some guys up. Final word to the Scarlets this

weekend, it's only fair, a fantastic weekend for Welsh regional rugby,

the Scarlets came here and did what they did in front of 45,000 fans at

the Aviva Stadium. Some of the few can exactly how magnificent that all

was. A huge boost for regional and Welsh rugby. Young people watching

that will see young players getting a chance and showing what they can

do on the biggest stage. It shows the regions what can be done. Con at

last year, Scarlets started poorly and went through in a style that was

attracted to watch. That is the biggest thing, how they went about

it. It gives you so much energy and enjoyment watching them and

hopefully it is a template for the regions and the national team. Can

they defend the title next year? One word? Yes. LAUGHTER He's learning!

That is all we have time for on Scrum V this

season so thanks for following us on the Scarlets on the journey towards

the title. That is the end of the domestic season four Scrum V, and

Wotan and it was at the Aviva Stadium, an absolutely magnificent

game of rugby and the Scarlets worthy winners, 2017 Pro12

champions. We'll see you next season.

MUSIC: "Yma O Hyd" by Dafydd Iwan. He goes straight through... Davies

skips over. Determined and effective, absolutely... Its 50th

try DTH Van Der Merwe. And the Scarlets are going to have the last

word. Worthy winners and worthy champions.