Edinburgh comeback too much for Scarlets

A POWERFUL second-half display saw Edinburgh come from behind to move back into the URC play-off positions with a six-try bonus-point victory.

The hosts’ execution was woeful before the interval as tries from Tom Rogers and Gareth Davies had the clinical Scarlets eyeing a first win outside Wales for 15 months.

But bolstered by an all-new front row of Scotland internationals, Edinburgh cranked up the pressure after the interval to enjoy an ultimately resounding win as the visitors’ resistance crumbled in the final quarter.

Wales flanker Taine Plumtree lasted 65 minutes on his return from a five-month injury lay-off as Scarlets gave as good as they got for the first hour.

Edinburgh enjoyed the majority of territory and possession but an early opportunity went begging when prop Boan Venter lost the ball over the line and their lineout maul misfired on several occasions as Scarlets defended it superbly.

The Welsh outfit scored with their first real attack when outstanding No.8 Vaea Fifita sent Rogers over with a one-handed pass.

Fifita was a thorn in

Edinburgh’s side, stealing lineout ball – Scarlets nicked five in the first half – and making hard yards off the back of the scrum.

Wes Goosen was a bright spark for the hosts and almost sent Matt Currie in – Sam Costelow making a superb cover tackle – before the Kiwi full-back dummied his way over from James Lang’s pass.

But Costelow swiftly regained the lead with a long-range penalty before Scarlets grabbed a second try, Sam Louis charging down Ali Price’s clearing kick and the ball popping up perfectly for Gareth Davies to run in for a 15-7 lead.

Edinburgh botched two more lineout drives before the interval but the introduction of Pierre Schoeman, Ewan Ashman and WP Nel helped turn the tide. Price’s clever inside pass created a gap for Duhan van der Merwe to storm through, Ben Healy converting and then kicking a penalty to put Edinburgh ahead for the first time.

Costelow replied with one of his own but when

Edinburgh pounded away through 15 phases from a five-metre tap penalty on the hour mark, Scarlets’ heroic defence eventually yielded as Healy’s delayed pass put Currie over for the game-turning score.

Schoeman swiftly plunged over from close range and after Van der Merwe had a second score ruled out, Mark Bennett streaked clear – getting a fortunate bounce off Fifita as he tried to pass inside – before Bill Mata stepped his way over late on.