Scarlets pointless in Europe as Edinburgh progress

Try-scorer Duhan van der Merwe was one of six starting changes for Edinburgh

Edinburgh romped into the Challenge Cup knockout stages as Scarlets endured a record low by being the first Welsh region to not record a pool point.

British and Irish Lions duo Duhan van der Merwe and Hamish Watson were among the visiting try scorers.

Joe Roberts and Ryan Conbeer scored in either half for Scarlets, who were awarded a penalty try at the death.

Edinburgh went into the game in need of a bonus-point win and they got off to the perfect start, the co-captain Ben Vellacott crashing over on their first visit to the Scarlets 22.

The visitors doubled their lead just a few minutes later, WP Nel also over from close range as Scarlets looked shell-shocked.

Steff Evans brought a much needed spark to the cold Llanelli air when he tore down his opposite wing and put in a grubber kick for Kieran Hardy to chase. The bounce favoured the Wales scrum-half, but he was brought down inches short of the line.

Referee Sara Cox showed a yellow card to David Cherry for illegally slowing play down as Scarlets looked to recycle.

Scarlets were able to build from the resulting penalty and Roberts was put in when a gap opened up out wide.

But even a man down, Edinburgh continued to show their threat, the returning Van de Merwe finishing off after a superb high ball take and run from Emiliano Boffelli.

Watson added salt to the wounds moments later, wrestling his way over the line to bag the bonus-point just after the half hour mark.

But Edinburgh's discipline once again came under the spotlight, the other co-captain Grant Gilchrist was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Dan Davis just before the break.

Scarlets lock Alex Craig joined him on sideline soon after the break by being yellow carded for a similar high tackle.

Edinburgh kicked to touch and after a series of powerful carries, Pierre Schoeman touched down.

Peel emptied the Scarlets bench early in search of inspiration as the crowd and atmosphere fell flat, but a Charlie Titcombe run down his wing was the only thing for the home fans to cheer before the final few minutes.

Gilchrist was sent off aftera second yellow card for another high tackle, which saw Scarlets finish with a flurry.

Conbeer finished off a great run down his wing and Cox awarded a penalty try when Van der Merwe deliberately knocked on in the final play.

With Van der Merwe in the bin, Edinburgh finished the game with 13 men while Scarlets made the score far more respectable.

Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas; Steff Evans, Joe Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Ryan Conbeer; Ioan Lloyd, Kieran Hardy; Steff Thomas, Ryan Elias (capt), Harri O'Connor, Alex Craig, Jac Price, Ben Williams, Dan Davis, Vaea Fifita.

Replacements: Eduan Swart, Kemsley Mathias, Sam Wainwright, Morgan Jones, Shaun Evans, Gareth Davies, Charlie Titcombe, Tomi Lewis.

Edinburgh: Emiliano Boffelli; Chris Dean, Matt Currie, James Lang, Duhan van der Merwe; Ben Healy, Ben Vellacott; Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist (capt), Luke Crosbie, Hamish Watson, Viliame Mata.

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Boan Venter, Angus Williams, Glen Young, Jamie Ritchie, Tom Dodd, Ali Price, Cameron Scott.

Referee: Sara Cox (England)

Assistant referees: Harry Walbaum & Paul Dix (England)

TMO: Dean Richards (England)

Yellow card: Dave Cherry, Alex Craig, Van der Merwe

Red card: Grant Gilchrist