Scarlets know they are due a break

Munster and Leinster take the annual plunge into Europe, fortified by more than five European titles between them in six years.

Ireland’s perennial contenders share the added advantage of being able to give the Scarlets the widest of berths, at least until the quarter-finals.

The luck of the draw leaves both to concentrate on a renewal of Anglo-French rivalry, each more than happy to dodge the West Walians, whose unprecedented Dublin double in outplaying first Leinster, then Munster on successive weekends at the end of last season completed the most exhilarating crowning of all.