Wasteful Scarlets hammered in Anglo-Welsh clash as European hopes dealt blow
The Scarlets were made to rue missed opportunities as they fell to a one-sided 31-7 defeat to Gloucester in their Challenge Cup clash at Kingsholm.
Dwayne Peel's side had plenty of chances, but any semblance of clinical edge deserted them against the Gallagher Premiership side - with the Cherry and Whites 19-0 up at half-time.
The bonus point would follow in the second-half for Gloucester, even though the Scarlets enjoyed 65 per cent possession and 60 per cent territory.
The match had been billed as a crucial audition ahead of Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad announcement on Monday, given the number of Welsh players on both sides. But, with the one-sided scoreline, there might be some sleepless nights ahead for those in the west Walians' ranks.
Josh Macleod was one of the Scarlets' best performers, with the Wales coaches in attendance likely to have been impressed by the back-row.
However, beyond hooker Marnus van der Merwe and a few others, there was scant consolation for the Scarlets on a testing night.
An inability to clear their lines properly had brought some early pressure, with home scrum-half Caolan Englefield sniping over for the opening try after four minutes.
After the Scarlets lost Wales fly-half Sam Costelow to injury, back-row Jack Clement doubled Gloucester's advantage from a driving maul.
After the Scarlets wasted countless opportunities, Gloucester crossed for their third when full-back George Barton slid over out wide.
The home side sealed the bonus point after the break, when replacement hooker Seb Blake peeled off a driving maul to score.
The Scarlets would have something to celebrate with 15 minutes left, when Eddie James raced away to score following Ioan Lloyd's grubber to finally get the better of