European Champions Cup: Ken Owens praises 'professional' Scarlets

Gareth Davies scored two tries to help Scarlets take their tally of bonus points to four in the Champions' Cup

Scarlets captain Ken Owens praised his team's professionalism after their 31-12 win against Benetton Rugby in Italy.

The Welsh region are back in contention to win Pool Five in the Champions Cup despite losing their opening two games.

They trail leaders Bath and second-placed Toulon by a point in the battle for a place in the quarter finals with two rounds of pool games to play.

"It's knockout rugby in Europe for us now," Wales and Lions hooker Owens told BBC Wales Sport.

"We've got 10 points from our two games against Benetton and we've put ourselves right back in the hunt."

After needing a late try to beat a Benetton side reduced to 14 men a week earlier, Scarlets raced into a 31-0 lead inside 50 minutes in Treviso and were never threatened.

And Bath's 26-21 win over Toulon did the Welsh region a favour after they had started the day five points behind the leaders.

"We were very professional, we had to get five points," said Owens, while still bemoaning the narrow losses their rivals.

"I think the defeat by Toulon away and the defeat to Bath home were games we could have possibly won," he added.

"But we weren't good enough on the day and made too many mistakes.

"That's how tight the group is and it will be down to us to get the results and it's in our hands."

Scarlets face Bath at the Recreation Ground on 12 January and finish their qualifying campaign at home to Toulon on 19 January.