Connacht 14-20 Scarlets: Two Ryan Conbeer tries help visitors to win at Sportsground

Scarlets held off late Connacht pressure to move up to second in Pro14 Conference B with an important three-try win in a windswept Galway.

Ryan Conbeer scored two nearly identical tries either side of Abraham Papli'i's score to give the Welsh region a six-point lead at the break.

Dane Blacker increased their advantage before Ultane Dillane reduced the deficit for Connacht, who had a late try ruled out by the TMO as they sought to complete a second half turnaround.

The victory sees Scarlets, who have 12 players currently away on international duty, jump to second behind Munster, having played six games of the new campaign.

Connacht, who claimed a losing bonus-point, remain in fifth but have played two games fewer after their last two matches were postponed as a result of Covid-19 problems for Benneton and Dragons.

Amid miserable conditions both sides produced admirable passages of play to create openings, with Scarlets full-back Johnny McNicholl a particular livewire with ball in hand.

McNicholl played an instrumental role in Conbeer's tries, both of which came off the same set piece move which saw Scarlets take the ball out of the maul, move it right across the pitch with McNicholl drawing Connacht's wing infield allowing him to offload to Conbeer who supplied two neat finishes.

The sides were forced to contend with miserable conditions at the Sportsground

In between the two scores, Papali'i darted over from close range after Connacht's forwards had worked through the phases to keep the hosts very much in the hunt before the interval.

After the break Blacker, whose tackle had stopped Connacht scoring just moments earlier, crossed for Scarlets' third.

The Irish province had it all to do, and when Matt Healy knocked on following a hefty challenge, just metres from the try-line, it looked as though things were just not falling into place for Connacht before they rallied as lock Dillane powered over with 20 minutes left to set-up an exciting finish.

Despite the loss of Tonga lock Sam Lousi to a head knock, Scarlets' defence held firm amid late Connacht pressure to secure their third win of the season.

Scarlets captain Steff Hughes said:

"The result means a lot, since there were parts of our game over the last few weeks we haven't been happy with but I thought we were outstanding tonight.

"Our discipline was good, we worked really hard for each other and the result is huge since Connacht is a tough place to come and get a result.

"Johnny is world class, just knowing he's behind you to bring that ball back, and he's worth his weight in gold.

"We're lucky we have boys with confidence and energy that can go all day, so we knew if we were disciplined we could defend all evening. We showed how good we can be and we're excited to go to Ulster next week."

Connacht: Porch; Wootton, Arnold, Daly, Healy; Carty, Reilly; McAllister, Delahunt, Kenny, Dillane, Thornbury, Boyle, Butler (capt), Papali'i.

Replacements: Murphy, Buckley, Aungier, Masterson, Oliver, Marmion, Farrell, Sullivan.

Scarlets: McNicholl; Conbeer, Hughes (capt), Asquith, S Evans; D Jones, Blacker; R Evans, Davies, Sebastian, Lousi, M Jones, Kennedy, J Morgan, Kalamafoni.

Replacements: Hughes, Price, Kruger, Drake, Cassiem, Homer, O'Brien, T Morgan.

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Assistant referees: Andrew Brace, Peter Martin (Ireland)

TMO: Ollie Hodges (Ireland).