Scarlets come back to beat Dragons and keep play-off hopes alive at Judgement Day

The Scarlets came from behind to beat the Dragons 31-23 and keep their URC play-off hopes alive at the Principality Stadium on Judgement Day.

Dwayne Peel’s side secured the victory thanks to tries from Henry Thomas, Alec Hepburn, Vaea Fifita and Blair Murray in a tightly-contested affair at the home of Welsh rugby.

Marnus van der Merwe completed some crucial turnovers for Peel’s side, with Ioan Lloyd and Sam Lousi other standout performers for Scarlets.

Angus O’Brien was fantastic for Dragons, with some excellent kicking and passing. His assist for Jared Rosser’s first score was particularly impressive, sending a looping effort over five Scarlets players.

In the first half, Dragons were down to 14 men after Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths was shown a yellow card. Despite doing well to keep Scarlets out, Dragons were eventually overwhelmed by the constant Scarlets pressure. Prop Henry Thomas crossed for their opening score, which coincidentally occurred when Dragons were back to 15 men.

Scarlets then came under the cosh from their opposition shortly after, with a superb, looping pass from Angus O’Brien setting Jared Rosser up for a try. The boot of O’Brien then put Dragons 8-7 up at half time.

The game opened up considerably in the second half, with both teams getting into an attacking flow. Filo Tiatia’s side started well, crossing for two tries in the first six minutes. However, Scarlets didn’t go away, scoring two of their own and going into a one-point lead.

O’Brien’s boot stuck three more on the board for the Newport-based region, and put them back into the lead. However, Scarlets spent much of the closing stages pressuring the Dragons whitewash, and eventually got their try through Blair Murray, who capitalised on a defensive