Patchell is back in the frame for Wallabies

RHYS Patchell set up two tries as he made a winning return after spending more than a year out of the game.

The Welsh international fly-half twice put in pinpoint cross kicks for winger Ryan Conbeer as he helped the Scarlets turn around an early 10-0 deficit to run out convincing 29-10 winners in a Rodney Parade friendly on Friday evening.

There was also a welcome return for Dragons hooker Elliot Dee after the neck injury that saw him released from Wales’s autumn squad.

He came through a 40-minute run-out unscathed and could now potentially be a contender to be involved against Australia this weekend.

It was the Dragons who had the better of the opening quarter as they built a 10-point lead through a brace of tries from scrum-half Dan Babos.

First he sniped over down the narrow side off a lineout and then came a long-range strike as he exchanged passes with weaving wing Rio Dyer.

But the Scarlets responded to turn things around.

They opened their account when right wing Conbeer profited from an expertly placed cross-kick from fit-again fly-half Patchell.

And they then went ahead through a converted score from Tyler Morgan after co-centre Joe Roberts made the key break down the left.

Turning round with a 12-10 interval lead, the Scarlets dominated the second half.

Patchell set up Conbeer for his second, and then the visitors pulled clear with two tries from replacement hooker Daf Hughes, with full-back Tom Rogers really catching the eye.

DRAGONS A: Ioan Davies, Oli Andrew, Jared Rosser, Adam Warren (capt), Rio Dyer, Josh Lewis, Dan Babos; Greg Bateman, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Joe Davies, Joe Maksymiw, Huw Taylor, Ben Fry, Dan Baker.

REPLACEMENTS: Ellis Shipp, Josh Reynolds, Luke Yendle, Aaron Jarvis, Max Williams, Ryan Woodman, Ben Moa, Che Hope, Will Reed, Tom Griffiths, Joe Westwood

SCARLETS DEV’OPMENT: Tom Rogers; Ryan Conbeer, Tyler Morgan, Joe Roberts, Callum Williams; Rhys Patchell, Archie Hughes; Kemsley Mathias, Shaun Evans (capt), Alex Jeffries, Morgan Jones, Jac Price, Caleb Salmon, Iestyn Rees, Carwyn Tuipulotu.

REPLACEMENTS: Daf Hughes, Steff Thomas, Harri O’connor, Osian Davies, Morgan Macrae, Griff Evans, Dane Blacker, Josh Phillips, Eddie James, Steff Hughes.