TMO controversy helps extend Connacht slump

Scarlets 21 Connacht 19: Scarlets returned to the top of the Pro12 table when controversial refereeing decisions once again played their part in Connacht’s narrow defeat at Parc y Scarlets yesterday.

A losing bonus-point was little consolation to Pat Lam’s men who could have been out of sight at half-time but for two decisions that went against them, before being denied by a 77th-minute Scarlets penalty.

In both cases referee Marius Mitrea went upstairs to TMO Paul Adams, and on both occasions the Welshman ruled against Connacht.