Scarlets claimed their opening United Rugby Championship victory with a 27-26 victory over Benetton, mounting an impressive comeback after trailing by 14 points at halftime.
Scored by flanker Sam Lousi early on for the hosts, Benetton responded with first-half tries from hooker Siua Maile, wing Onisi Ratave, and flanker Michele Lamaro. The visiting Italian side built a substantial advantage and led 21-7 at the break. Scarlets’ performance was notably strengthened following the introduction of number eight Fletcher Anderson and scrum-half Gareth Davies, who helped reshape the team’s approach and control.
Wings Ellis Mee and Macs Page generated opportunities through attacking moves against Benetton’s defense, with Mee ultimately scoring two tries. Full-back Blair Murray, named player of the match, also crossed the try line with an 80-meter interception and sprint. Benetton regained the advantage when wing Louis Lynagh scored an opportunistic try from a Leonardo Marin kick.
The decisive moment came when fly-half Sam Costelow landed a penalty kick in the 78th minute to secure a dramatic victory before a crowd announced at 6,026. The match marked the return of Wayne Pivac as an opposing coach at Llanelli, where he previously served as head coach and won the Pro12 title in 2017. Scarlets had been searching for their first league victory after earlier losses in Welsh derbies, while Benetton had not yet won following draws and losses earlier in the campaign.
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