Scarlets well beaten following spirited outing in Bordeaux as winless run in Europe continues

It was always going to be an uphill battle for Dwayne Peel’s side travelling to face the reigning Champions Cup Champions Union Bordeaux Bègles.

The Parc y Scarlets side have already faced tricky and testing away fixtures this season, particularly against the Lions and Sharks in South Africa.

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These sorts of trips give a precise observation of a side’s credentials, but at the same time can brutally expose them. It was a fixture that seemed not to be based on tactics but temperament.

It’s simple: the Scarlets needed to believe they belonged on the same turf as the champions. And miraculously, it was the visitors who started the game more brightly under the floodlights. It was the perfect start.

Fletcher Anderson, whose heroics impressed in his last outing, powered his way over from close range with a quick tap and go. Joe Hawkins added the extras as the West Walians led 7-0.

The hosts expertly responded minutes later in rather impressive style. Following a fumble, outside half Matthieu Jalibert gathered the loose ball after a kick over the top to score.

Loosehead Jefferson Poirot then found a gap in a Scarlets defence to score as the hosts became more in control of the contest after Jalibert added the extras to make it a five-point game.

Now, with La Marseillaise being sung so loudly, Hawkins kicked the ball straight out from the restart. The sort of simple mistakes that formidable forces like Bordeaux build off. And so they did.

A dominant catch and drive, and this resulted in Gaeten Barlot scoring as the hosts went into a comfortable 12-point lead. It was so devastating how quickly they punished any slight error by the visitors.

That was clear to see, as it was brilliance as Jalibert crossed for his second before the 30-minute mark—an absolute coach killer. You blink, and you would miss the ruthless attack from Bordeaux.

And this was following the Scarlets looking to be building off an attack despite a poor kick in behind by Ellis Mee.

After being under continuous pressure, Henry Thomas from close range scored after great patience from the visitors. Hawkins slotted the extras as the deficit was 10 points as the first half went on.

Tiaan Jacobs, before the conclusion of the first half, powerfully crossed over. It was completely staggering the apparent difference in the pace of both sides' attack, as Bordeaux hit the Scarlets magnificently for five ahead of the interval.

Despite the 17-point difference heading into the second half, there were still glimmers of hope for the Welsh side. This was all in spite of the prospect of a long evening for Peel’s side.

As Tongan international Ben Tameifuna entered the field of play, the scrappy opening exchanges began. Tameifuna, destructive like carries, started to make an impact on the visitors' defence.

Throughout the second half, Bordeaux always looked threatening. And replacement Jarrod Taylor before the hour mark was yellow-carded, and from the penalty, the hosts looked to have scored their sixth.

But following a TMO check, it was great defending by Sam Costelow, who held up Temo Matiu over the line. Then, with a penalty advantage, and after some quick handling, Pablo Uberti crossed in the corner.

Anderson then, from close range following some pressure, went blind and crossed over for his second of the contest.

Then Xan Mousques easily scored from a darting run as the deficit extended to 22 points heading into the closing moments, which would’ve felt like an eternity for the visitors.

Eddie James lost the ball inside the hosts’ half, and after Yoram Moefana gathered, he offloaded to Louis Bille-Biarrey, who showed his speed to score. That score with the extras added brought the hosts up to the half-century mark.

This proved more than enough, as the hosts worked hard to disallow the Scarlets from earning a hard-fought bonus point, as they made it back-to-back wins in Europe.

FT: Union Bordeaux Bègles 50-21 Scarlets

A bruising and bloody outing for the Scarlets skipper. Great value in defence, as the 29-year-old’s impressive work rate was his main strength.

Particularly around the breakdown, where he made a noticeable impact for his side.

He toured with the national side during the summer tour of Japan, and the Scarlets player made a firm case for involvement in the championship, which gets underway in February, following a decent performance.

Despite wearing the number 10 shirt, a jersey he’s worn a lot this season, but in the Autumn internationals, his best work came from inside centre.

But he stated his case for more appearances in the Welsh shirt this evening, with a solid outing with the ball and without. As much as he wears the 10 jersey for his club, I feel that Steve Tandy will utilise Hawkins more strongly at 12.

The 23-year-old needs to show the same level as he did so well against the All Blacks in November. But the question that many would like to be answered is, could he wear the 10 shirt in the Six Nations?

A late call-up to Steve Tandy’s Autumn squad, and this was due to the South African Test taking place outside of the international window.

Attacked with good intent, showed decent footwork and was utilised well in defence with some excellent hits.

Lacked time with the ball in hand due to the superiority of the hosts, but stated his case for a spot with Josh Adams not firing on the international stage for some time now.