Scarlets 21-26 Stormers: Dwayne Peel's side miss out on Champions Cup rugby despite impressive performance

The Scarlets fell agonisingly short of securing the Welsh Shield and Champions Cup qualification with a last-gasp defeat to the Stormers at Parc y Scarlets.

Needing a victory to surpass the Ospreys, tries from Johnny Williams and Ryan Conbeer had put them in contention in what was an impressive performance - with the scores all level heading into the final few minutes.

However, Dwayne Peel's side would be denied top tier European rugby for next season as the Stormers scored at the death to ensure it was the Ospreys who will be playing in the Champions Cup next year.

To add injury to insult, they lost both Rhys Patchell and try-scorer Williams to injuries before the end of the 80 minutes - casting doubt on whether either will tour South Africa with Wales this summer.

The Scarlets had started with intent. After just eight minutes, they were 10 points to the good.

The reliable boot of Sam Costelow had opened their scoring from the tee, before a try of real quality stretched them further ahead.

From a lineout in their own half, Gareth Davies chipped over the blitzing Stormers defence to acres of space behind.

Jonathan Davies, having been overlooked by Wayne Pivac earlier in the week, was first to it, before feeding Williams, one of the men selected ahead of him for a Welsh centre spot, to race over for the opening try.

The away side, seeking to secure their own status as South Africa's highest-placed side, didn't take long to hit back. The dangerous Hacjivah Dayimani slipped off a couple of poor tackles attempts to release Leolin Zas with a neat offload.

Despite having Tom Rogers in front of him, the try was a mere formality - with Zas wrongfooting the Scarlets full-back to score.

The boot of Costelow kept the Scarlets out in