By Paul Jones
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has laid down the challenge to his players to remain in the top eight of the United Rugby Championship.
Peel’s men have held onto to sixth place – but closed the gap between themselves and fifth-placed Cardiff to just two points – after a gritty, hard-earned 30-24 win over Edinburgh that extended their unbeaten run at home to six games.
They were outscored by four tries to three, but Ioan Lloyd kicked three conversions and three penalties to guide his side home.
After a poor start to the season, the Scarlets now look a strong outfit with seven victories in their last 11 matches in all competitions.
Dwayne Peel in conversation with our studio panel following @scarlets_rugby‘s victory against Edinburgh today
“We want to stay in [the top eight] and that has been a big focus for us.” ️ pic.twitter.com/PtlLO4kVG5
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 25, 2025
Peel believes there is still plenty of room for improvement but says his players are motivated to earn qualifcation for next season’s European Champions Cup.
“We want to stay in there [in the top eight], it is a big focus for us,” he said.
“.We have a couple of tough games on the road now which is exciting in itself. We then have two big games against Stormers and Ospreys back-to-back.
“The league is so tight, so a win or two could be the difference between dropping out or staying in the play-offs.
“I think we still have a way to go yet with our game. I don’t think we were accurate enough with the ball to put them under pressure enough.
“I am happy with the win of course and now we have a bit of a break before we go to Limerick [to face Munster] in a couple of weeks, which will be another tough one.
FINAL SCORE | SGÔR TERFYNOL
Scarlets 30
Edinburgh Rugby 24#SCAvEDI #BKTURC #YmaOHyd pic.twitter.com/NDkV0sX68B— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) January 25, 2025
Storm Eowyn had done its worst, forcing the visitors to make the trip to South Wales by a lengthy coach trip rather than the planned flight, but by the time the game kicked off there were perfect conditions for two teams looking to play.
It was discipline which let Edinburgh down in the first half, two penalties converted by Scarlets outside half Lloyd opened up an early lead, while more penalties brought a yellow card for hooker Patrick Harrison and an attacking lineout for the home side.
Hooker Marnus van der Merwe scored a try from it, which Lloyd improved, and Edinburgh’s woes were confirmed when an apparent try for scrum half Ali Price was called back for an earlier forward pass.
Towards the end of the first half the visitors did start to get some penalties of their own, and Sam Skinner was able to drive over from close range or a try that Ben Healy converted.
Another lineout drive from close range brought a try on the stroke of half-time for hooker Harrison.
Healy just pulled the conversion, so the Scots trailed by one point at the break instead of taking what would have been a surprising lead.
Another lineout drive brought another try, this time for the Scarlets, early in the second half.
Home skipper Josh MacLeod was the man who came up with the ball from under the pile of forwards. Lloyd converted from the right-hand touch line.
The Scarlets tightened their grip on the game after taking a tap penalty near the Edinburgh line. The forwards took the ball on and full back Ioan Nicholas burst through for the try. Lloyd again converted.
The changes made by Edinburgh in the second half made an impact and outside half Healy managed to score in the corner and then convert himself to throw the Scots a lifeline.
Replacement hooker Harri Morris then squeezed his way over for a try which also brought up a bonus point.
The Scarlets soaked up the pressure and in the final few seconds extended their lead through another Lloyd penalty as he maintained his 100 per cent record with the boot.