Brave Scarlets succumb to Toulouse onslaught

Toulouse 53 Llanelli 36

Llanelli were put out of their European misery by a clinical Toulouse side at Stade Ernest Wallon tonight.

Last season’s Heineken Cup runners-up demolished a brave but out-classed Scarlets side as they continued the French march towards a third final in a row.

A try double from hard-working lock Chris Wyatt – who must be giving Wales coach Mike Ruddock some food for thought – kept the visitors in the match at half-time – but there was no stopping the French heavyweights as they wrapped up the match.

Toulouse ran the ball from the opening minute, giving Wales captain Gareth Thomas an early chance to stretch his legs against his countrymen.

But the home side were rocked by a Wyatt try under the posts in the 10th minute.

A ridiculous pass from full-back Clement Poitrenaud – who must still have nightmares after handing last season’s Heineken Cup to Rob Howley on a plate - went over the head of centre Yannick Jauzion and into the arms of second-rower Wyatt to gallop over the line untouched.

But the try simply made Toulouse angry.

Speedster Vincent Clerc went over in the corner after some skilful handling from scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and poor defence from the Scarlets, and Jauzion crashed over near the posts following some good work from fly-half Frederic Michalak.

Gareth Bowen narrowed the margin with a penalty goal. But ‘Alfie’ Thomas increased the hosts’ lead as he crashed through the attempted tackles of Garan Evans, Dwayne Peel, Dafydd Jones and Tal Selley.

Toulouse’s dominance was illustrated with a penalty try which gave them a bonus point and a guaranteed home quarter-final, and flanker Jean Bouilhou made things even more one-sided with a pushover try moments later.

The Scarlets refused to drop their heads, though, and Wyatt reached over from a close-range scrum to narrow the score to 3-17 at half-time.

Michalak opened the first half with a beautifully-struck drop goal, before a stunning break from hooker William Servat set up Poitrenaud for his side’s sixth try.

Replacement back row Andy Powell gave the Scarlets some much-needed momentum up front, and some hard work paid off when prop John Davies forced his way over the try line after a good build-up from captain Simon Easterby.

Powell scored a try to give his side a well-deserved and completely useless bonus point.

Poitrenaud and replacement scrum-half Jean-Frederic Dubois restored the home side’s authority with late tries, and the Scarlets were left with a consolation touchdown to Selley.