Scarlets stun champions Glasgow in PRO12 season opener
PA Sport
September 5, 2015

The Scarlets put the big guns of the Guinness PRO12 on notice with an impressive 16-10 victory at Glasgow Warriors.

Tries from flanker Aaron Shingler and wing Hadleigh Parkes - with Dan Jones adding three points with his boot - put the Scarlets 13-0 up at half-time.

Jones added a further penalty after the break to keep the defending Guinness PRO12 champions at arm's length, despite them coming back with tries from Mike Cusack and Glenn Bryce.

Sixteen Warrior regulars were included in Scotland coach Vern Cotter's World Cup squad and Glasgow's supporting cast were unable to provide the dynamism that has become their hallmark.

An entertaining first half lacked the typical ferocity these sides usually create, but still saw plenty of expansive rugby despite the low score.

Shingler notched the game's first points, crashing over from close range through a crowd of Glasgow bodies after some well-worked pick-and-go work for the Scarlets forwards. Dan Jones sent his conversion attempt well wide, before Glasgow roused themselves into action.

But after absorbing a brief Warriors attacking spell, the visitors dictated the pace for the remainder of the contest. They asked questions of Glasgow at the breakdown and looking far more adventurous and inventive in attack.

Parkes doubled their lead when Jones' long cut-out pass found the winger in space, and after juggling possession briefly, touched down for try number two. Jones again was well wide of his target with the conversion.

Glasgow's first half from hell continued when Grayson Hart, making his first appearance for the club following his move from Edinburgh in the summer, was sin-binned for a high tackle and from the resulting penalty the Scarlets kicked to the corner before being awarded another penalty right in front of the posts after the Warriors were caught offside. Jones kicked the simple penalty to put his side 13-0 up.

After the interval, the defending league champions finally displayed a flicker of the class and resourcefulness that had won them last year's title.

They built for several phases, showing quick ball retention, before prop Cusack sneaked over in the far right corner, although Scott Wight missed the conversion.

The remainder of the half played out small skirmishes in midfield as Scarlets pummelled and battered Glasgow upfront.

Jones added his second penalty to extend the Scarlets lead to 11 points, before they were reduced to 13-men after prop Rob Evan and John Barclay were yellow-carded.

Glenn Bryce added a late touch down for the Warriors, but the Welshmen held on to record a memorable victory.

In the only other match on opening day in the PRO12, Munster stuttered their way to an 18-13 win over Benetton Treviso at Irish Independent Park. It took a brace of second half tries from CJ Stander, who captained Munster on the night, to break the resistance of the Italians - who led 7-6 at half-time.

© PA Sport

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