A thrilling Champions Cup encounter in Llanelli saw Pau emerge victorious, dashing Scarlets' hopes of a knockout stage berth. The battle for European glory intensified as these two teams clashed, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
In Pool 4 of the European Champions Cup, Scarlets faced a daunting task against the formidable Pau. The Top 14 side dominated the first half, scoring four tries in just 30 minutes, leaving Dwayne Peel's Scarlets on the brink of another tough defeat.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Explosive winger Toshi Butlin put Pau ahead with two tries, followed by efforts from Clement Mondinat and Carywn Tuipulotu, who seemed determined to prove a point against his former team. Scarlets fought back valiantly, with Josh Macleod and Archie Hughes keeping them in the game.
After the break, Taine Plumtree and Joe Hawkins gave Scarlets' fans a glimmer of hope, but Pau's pedigree shone through as they responded with three unanswered tries from Remi Seneca, Theo Attissogbe, and Siate Tokolahi.
And this is the part most people miss...
Scarlets now face an uphill battle, needing to defeat Northampton Saints away next Sunday to keep their slim chances of finishing in the top four alive. Meanwhile, Pau will take on Bulls on Friday, aiming to solidify their position as the second-best team in the Top 14.
Despite an early period of pressure, Scarlets settled for a Hawkins penalty after their driving mauls were repelled. A quick-tap penalty by full-back Attissogbe released Butlin, who showcased his pace down the wing, leading to his impressive European debut.
Butlin's second try came just five minutes later, followed by a third for Pau, with Attisogbe breaking the line and setting up Mondinat. As the game intensified, Scarlets hit back, but Pau's Tuipulotu crashed over, leaving his former side with a mountain to climb.
Scarlets' powerful mauls kept them in the game, with Macleod and Hughes crossing the line. However, Pau's discipline issues in the second half allowed Hawkins to finish off after a driving maul.
With Pau down to 14 men, Scarlets' Kemsley Mathias almost set up a try, but a TMO intervention showed the loose-head had been held up. Despite this, Scarlets kept pushing, with Plumtree breaking the defensive line and eventually grounding the ball to take the lead for the first time.
But here's the twist...
Pau's replacement forwards made an immediate impact, with Seneca capitalizing on defensive miscommunication. A careless penalty from Sam Lousi gifted Pau a five-meter lineout, and Attissogbe found a gap to put his side back in front.
As the game entered its final stages, Scarlets' Fletcher Anderson thought he had scored the winning try, but a crucial moment saw him stripped of the ball just before grounding. Replays added to the drama, but it was Pau who finished strongly with well-taken tries from Attissogbe and Tokolahi.
So, who do you think deserved the win? Was it Pau's precision or Scarlets' resilience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, Roberts, James, Mee; Hawkins, Hughes; Mathias, Elias, Thomas, Lousi, Ball, Plumtree, Macleod (capt), Anderson.
Replacements: Van der Merwe, Hepburn, O'Connor, Price, Davis, Blacker, Leggatt-Jones, Nicholas.
Pau: Attissogbe; Arfeuil, Decron, Valentino, Butlin; Desperes, Daubagna (capt); Etchebehere, Delhommel,Arrieta, Jolmes, Capelli, Zegueur, Hewat, Tuipulotu.
Replacements: Rey, Seneca, Tokolahi, Liufau, Iosefo, Pelesasa, Robson, Mondinat.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco)
Assistants: Ian Kenny (Sco), Finlay Brown (Sco)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (Sco)
Sin bin: Hewat (34), Decron (50)
