A thrilling Champions Cup encounter in Llanelli saw Pau emerge victorious, dashing the Scarlets' knockout hopes. In a dramatic display of rugby, Pau's seven tries secured their win, despite a valiant effort from the Scarlets.
The French side, Pau, dominated the first half, with four tries in quick succession, leaving the Scarlets facing a daunting task. Toshi Butlin, the explosive winger, showcased his pace with two tries, followed by efforts from Clement Mondinat and Carywn Tuipulotu.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Scarlets fought back, with Josh Macleod and Archie Hughes crossing the line to bring them within striking distance. A tense second half ensued, with both teams trading tries. Taine Plumtree and Joe Hawkins gave the Scarlets hope, but Pau's pedigree shone through with three unanswered tries.
And this is the part most people miss... The Scarlets' fate now rests on their ability to beat Northampton Saints away next Sunday, while Pau faces Bulls on Friday. A win for the Scarlets might just keep their slim chances alive, but they currently sit in fifth place, which could see them drop into the Challenge Cup knockout phases.
The match started with the Scarlets applying early pressure, but a penalty from Joe Hawkins was all they could manage after their driving mauls were halted. A quick-tap penalty from full-back Attissogbe released Butlin, who showcased his speed down the wing.
Butlin's European debut was nothing short of impressive, scoring two tries within minutes. Pau's third try came during an intense eight-minute period, with Attisogbe breaking the line and setting up Mondinat for the score.
Just when it seemed the Scarlets were losing their grip on the game, they hit back with a superb touch finder from Hawkins, providing a platform for Ryan Elias to find his target at the lineout. Macleod touched down from the maul, bringing the Scarlets back into contention.
However, Pau silenced the crowd once again with Tuipulotu's try, leaving the Scarlets with a mountain to climb. The Scarlets fought back, recovering from a disallowed try and powering through with another strong maul, with Macleod securing his second.
As the game progressed, Pau's discipline began to waver, and the Scarlets took advantage, with Plumtree breaking the defensive line and eventually grounding the ball to take the lead for the first time.
But Pau wasn't done yet. With their replacement forwards making an immediate impact, prop Seneca capitalized on defensive miscommunication to score. A careless penalty from Sam Lousi gifted Pau a five-meter lineout, and Attissogbe found a gap to put his side back in the lead.
The Scarlets had a chance to win with a try from Fletcher Anderson, but a crucial moment saw the ball stripped from his grasp just before grounding. Replays added to the drama, but ultimately, it was Pau who finished strongly with well-executed tries from Attissogbe and Tokolahi.
So, what do you think? Was it a fair result, or did the Scarlets deserve more? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments!
