On a day when emotions were going to play a part no matter who was going to win, it was Scarlets who overcame these emotions to secure a well deserved win in Dublin.
Liam Williams goes out on a high
Saracens bound Liam Williams responded for the Scarlets, after a Tyler Bleyendaal penalty, after nine minutes courtesy of an excellent chip over the defence by Rhys Patchell. The expansive game which Wayne Pivac has instilled resulted in three more tries in the first half through Steffan Evans, Gareth Davies and Tadhg Beirne to storm into a resounding 29-10 lead at half time.
Just like half a mile away at the RDS a week ago against Leinster, the Scarlets once again produced an outstanding second half defensive performance. DTH van de Merwe and James Davies finished things off for the Scarlets. The latter scoring after consolation tries from Andrew Conway and Keith Earls respectively.
The Scarlets certainly saved their best performance for the last game of the season, with all 23 players delivering on a superb game plan based around the kiwi mentality of an attractive brand of rugby. Forwards handled the ball in midfield with confidence and the backs switched from defence to attack with such guile and panache. The final score finished 46-22 to the West Walians.
A special mention must go to Rhys Patchell, as he ran the show for 50 minutes and was involved in everything that was good about the Scarlets play. If he continues to play with such confidence and freedom, then he’s sure to be in Warren Gatland’s plans for the autumn, having not been selected for Wales’ summer tour to Tonga and Samoa.
Rhys Patchell puts Scarlets on the front foot
Heart must go out to Munster having endured an emotional season following the passing of Anthony Foley in October of last year, which has seen them reach the semi finals of the European Rugby Champions Cup as well as this final. All instrumented by Rassie Erasmus, who has channeled the emotion of the players in a positive way on the field.
