Pro14: Scarlets 34-10 Ulster

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Werner Kruger of Scarlets tries to break through the Ulster defenceImage source, Huw Evans picture agency
Image caption,

Scarlets were defeated by Leinster last time out

Pro14

Scarlets (3) 34

Tries: Nicholas, Conbeer, Asquith, Beirne Cons: D Jones 4 Pens: D Jones 2

Ulster (7) 10

Tries: McCloskey Cons: Cooney Pens: Cooney

Wales under-20 wing Ryan Conbeer made a dream Pro14 debut scoring in Scarlet's bonus point win over Ulster.

He came off the bench to run in an outstanding individual try from inside his own half.

The result sees Scarlets keep the pressure on conference B table toppers Leinster who are the next visitors to Parc Y Scarlets.

Ioan Nicholas, Ryan Conbeer and Paul Asquith and Tadhg Beirne all crossed for the hosts in the second half.

Dan Jones also kicked 14 points for Wayne Pivac's side.

Scarlets were looking to get back to winning ways to keep the pressure on Leinster.

Wayne Pivac started flanker James Davies and hooker Ryan Elias after they were released from the Wales squad.

Scarlets were without a win in all competitions since the Champions Cup victory over Toulon on 20 January.

As well as having a 11 members of their senior squad on international duty, they were also dealt a blow this week with the announcement that full-back Johnny McNicholl and wing Tom Prydie are expected to be out for the rest of the season.

Things started in dispiriting fashion for Scarlets as they were behind after just two minutes when Ulster opened the scoring in the second minute when wing Tommy Bowe offloaded to centre Stuart McCloskey for a try, converted by scrum half John Cooney.

Scarlets responded through a Dan Jones penalty for not releasing.

Ulster appeared to have extended their lead after half an hour, but Nick Timoney's try was disallowed for an infringement on the ruck in the build up play.

Scarlets took the lead soon after the break with wing Ioan Nicholas diving over the line to round off a team effort. Jones was successful with the touch line conversion.

A Cooney penalty levelled the score to 10-10 when Scarlets were penalised in their 22, but Jones' boot put them ahead again just before the hour mark.

Wales under-20 wing Conbeer came off the bench and showed his pace to skip past defenders to score from his own half, with Jones adding the extras.

Scarlets edged closer to a bonus point win when centre Paul Asquith grounded Jones' clever chip through with Jones again converting.

Nicholas looked to have scored his second of the game, but his effort was disallowed for a previous knock on.

Scarlets continued to attack the Ulster line, and flanker and subsequent man of the match Tadhg Beirne secured maximum points on the 76th minute after ripping the ball from a tackle and touching down.

Jones rounded off a flawless night of kicking with the conversion.

Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac told BBC Sport Wales: "I am very, very pleased to get the win and the bonus point is very much a bonus.

"The back three was inexperienced as a combination but they handled it really well.

"Ryan Conbeer's try on debut was pretty special and he has got a big future in the game.

"We pretty much achieved everything we wanted to, our discipline was good, so it is a massive, massive big tick for this group.

"Leinster have a pretty good run and we are pretty realistic and making the play-offs is our goal.

"But technically we are still in a race with Leinster.... but we really want a finish in the top three, ideally the top two."

Scarlets: Williams; Baldwin, Asquith, Hughes (capt), Nicholas; Jones, J Evans; D Evans, Elias, Kruger, Cummins, Bulbring, Beirne, Davies, Macleod

Replacements: Phillips, Price, Gardiner, Rawlins, Boyde, Smith, Hughes, Conbeer

Ulster: Ludik; Trimble, Marshall, McCloskey, Bowe; McPhillips, Cooney; Warwick, Andrew, Herbst, O'Connor (capt), Treadwell, Rea, Timoney, Deysel

Replacements: Herring, McCall, Ah You, Dalton, Henry, Marshall, Nelson, Cave.

Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)

Assistants: Adam Jones, Elgin Williams (both Wales)

TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)

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