Scarlets fly-half Dan Jones is the man to take kick-off and the second half is under way.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Scarlets wing Steff Evans has had an excellent first half, capping his lively display with a well-taken try.

But what is that new hairstyle of his?!

It's a dubious cut, and it looks quite familiar too.

Anybody else think Evans might have been inspired by mulleted New Zealand centre Jack Goodhue?

Image source, Getty Images

Gareth Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales at Parc y Scarlets

It is all about the regions at the moment but just a reminder that Wales will have a series of internationals in October, November and possibly December.

Wales will definitely finish their 2020 Six Nations campaign on 31 October against Scotland before participating in an eight nations tournament which is yet to be confirmed.

And backs coach Stephen Jones and forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys are among the few here in Llanelli this afternoon casting their eyes over the hopefuls.

Try scorers Steff Evans and Josh Adams will have proved a point already in this first half but Wales will be concerned with Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies limping off.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

That decision to go for a scrum has backfired for Scarlets.

Cardiff Blues force a turnover, earn a penalty and gladly kick into touch to bring the first half to a close.

A thoroughly entertaining opening 40 minutes.

Cardiff Blues are on the back foot again as Josh Adams has to clean up after another grubber kick into their 22 by Steff Evans.

Scarlets force a turnover from a subsequent ruck to earn a penalty and the've opted for a scrum.

Gareth Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales at Parc y Scarlets

It would not be a derby if there was not some tension and the sides had a little altercation.

What was funny was the manner in which referee Nigel Owens just stood there with his hands on his hips waiting for the handbags to finish.

It fizzled out and on we go.

A promising passage of play from Cardiff Blues, whose backs are enjoying a sustained spell of possession.

A loose pass from Tomos Williams rather spoils the momentum of the move but he redeems himself with a neat chip over the top.

Scarlets take their lineout quickly and Leigh Halfpenny clears well, up to the halfway line.

Not too many signs of rust so far from the two teams.

A really entertaining start to this game.

There's a break in play as referee Nigel Owens consults with the TMO about a possible no-arms tackle from Scarlets flanker Josh Macleod.

The tackle's fine, but Cardiff Blues have a penalty anyway.

Jarrod Evans kicks into touch, a little outside the Scarlets 22.

Leigh Halfpenny rolls back the years with a superb run, starting inside his own half and ending just outside the Cardiff Blues 22, with a handful of opposing defenders trailing in his wake.

The move breaks down but Halfpenny has the consolation of a penalty, which he strokes over easily against his former side.

"Aros fyna," referee Nigel Owens tells Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies at a Cardiff Blues scrum.

To those of you who don't speak Welsh, that translates as "stay there".

Davies, the king of interceptions, was close to another moments earlier, and Owens is making sure the Wales star stays onside.

You may have noticed a few changes to the way the breakdown is being refereed, as a result of the new guidelines issued by World Rugby.

The man in the middle today, Nigel Owens, told BBC Sport Wales about these changes earlier this week.

Another good defensive passage from Cardiff Blues, with Will Boyde carrying from the base of the scrum and setting the platform for Hallam Amos to clear.

That's solid defence from Cardiff Blues near their own try line, repelling the Scarlets' driving maul and earning themselves a scrum.

Cardiff Blues prop Dillon Lewis is offside and concedes a penalty near the halfway line.

That's well within Leigh Halfpenny's range but the Scarlets full-back hits his effort against the post.

Scarlets reclaim possession and win another penalty at the breakdown, which they kick into touch near the Blues' try line.

A chance to extend their lead here.

Gareth Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales at Parc y Scarlets

What is noticeable here is the noise being created by the players and coaches not involved, as they try to inspire their respective sides.

With no crowd noise being pumped into the stadium and the players just met with mainly empty seats, both coaches talked in the week about creating their own atmosphere and the non-playing and coaching members of both sides are doing their bit.

Scarlets have a decent water carrier as well in Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell, who hopes to be back in the next week or so after being sidelined since November 2019 with a shoulder injury.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Cardiff Blues have a scrum close to their try line and scrum-half Tomos Williams boots clear, but he slices it a little and Scarlets have a line-out in a decent position just outside the Blues' 22.

The hosts take it up the jumper in midfield and the Blues force a turnover thanks to Will Boyde.

Fine work from the number eight to earn the Blues a penalty.

Scarlets wing Steff Evans kicks into the Cardiff Blues 22, where Josh Adams is on hand to clean up.

The visitors look to keep the ball in hand, before Jarrod Evans has other ideas and clears.

But his opposite number Dan Jones responds with a superb kick, which bounces into touch just five metres from the Blues' try line.

Gareth Griffiths
BBC Sport Wales at Parc y Scarlets

It has been a surreal afternoon so far just watching regional rugby resume again behind closed doors.

We have had the pre-match warm-ups followed by the minute's silence and the players response to racism in rugby with every player taking the knee.

Scarlets have also marked the sad deaths of former Scarlets and Wales centre Matthew J Watkins and their announcer Andrew 'Thommo' Thomas.

There is very much a pre-season feel behind this occasion despite it being official league Welsh derby.

Now we finally have some action. It seems to have been so long and Scarlets draw first blood.