CHAMPIONS CUP IT’S WIN OR BUST FOR SCARLETS AS TIGERS PULL AWAY

IT’S a case of deja vu for the Scarlets in the Champions Cup after losing a thriller 45-27 at Leicester Tigers in Europe’s premier club tournament.

A year ago they were in the same situation after losing to Toulon and Bath but won their remaining four fixtures to exit their group as its winners.

They went on to reach the semi-finals, going out to eventual champions Leinster in Dublin, but matching that achievement looks a tall order this campaign.

For the Scarlets are bottom of Pool Four and have a potentially difficult double-header with Ulster in December before hosting Leicester in Llanelli and heading to Paris to face last season’s finalists Racing 92.

So what’s gone wrong this campaign? Some 11 players, including prop Rob Evans, playmaker Rhys Patchell and creative presence Johnny McNicholl, missed the clash with Leicester at Welford Road through injury and suspension.

Throw in the absence of long-term injury victims Aaron Shingler and James Davies and that’s a lot of missing talent.

Three of their best players in John Barclay, Tadhg Beirne and Scott Williams also left the West Wales stronghold at the end of last season for pastures new.

New back-row recruit Blade Thomson looks the business, particularly when he’s running in the wide channels.

But the reality is the Scarlets are in firefighting mode until injured personnel return. Tigers started off at express speed and raced into a 10-point lead in nine minutes.

But the Scarlets knuckled down and it was nip and tuck as an enthralling match swung one way and then the other.

A try from scrum-half Gareth Davies, who was a key man in their three touchdowns, and the boot of full-back Leigh Halfpenny brought them level.

Leicester moved 25-13 ahead early in the second half but tries from Steff Evans and Thomson saw the Scarlets edge 27-25 in front.

But Tigers hit back through scores from England pair Manu Tuilagi and Jonny May to gain a bonus-point victory.