In a heart-stopping clash that left fans on the edge of their seats, Pau delivered a seven-try masterclass to dent the Scarlets' knockout dreams in the Champions Cup, raising questions about the Welsh side's ability to bounce back. But here's where it gets controversial—was this a case of Pau's brilliance or Scarlets' defensive lapses? Let’s dive in.
European Champions Cup Pool 4
Scarlets (24) 38
Tries: Macleod (2), Hughes, Plumtree, Hawkins | Cons: Hawkins (2) | Pen: Hawkins
Pau (26) 47
Tries: Butlin (2), Mondinat, Tuipulotu, Seneca, Attissogbe, Tokolahi | Cons: Desperes (6)
Pau weathered a fierce Scarlets comeback in the second half to secure a thrilling victory in Llanelli, showcasing their depth and resilience. The Top 14 side raced to a commanding lead with four tries in the first 30 minutes, leaving Dwayne Peel's men reeling. Explosive wing Toshi Butlin starred with two tries, while Clement Mondinat and Carywn Tuipulotu—against his former club—sealed the bonus point.
Scarlets fought back valiantly, with Josh Macleod crossing twice and Archie Hughes narrowing the gap to just two points. Taine Plumtree and Joe Hawkins added further tries after the break, briefly igniting hope among the home fans. However, Pau flexed their muscle with three unanswered tries from Remi Seneca, Theo Attissogbe, and Siate Tokolahi, sealing the win.
And this is the part most people miss—Scarlets now face a must-win clash against Northampton Saints next Sunday to keep their top-four hopes alive, while Pau take on the Bulls on Friday. Currently fifth, Scarlets could still drop into the Challenge Cup knockout stages, but their fate hangs in the balance.
The match began with Scarlets applying early pressure, only to settle for a Hawkins penalty after two driving mauls were repelled. But a quick-tap penalty by Attissogbe released Butlin, who showcased his pace to open the scoring. His European debut became even more memorable when he latched onto a looping pass from Desperes for his second try.
Pau’s dominance continued as Attissogbe broke the line to set up Mondinat for their third try in just eight minutes. Scarlets responded through Macleod, who finished off a maul after a pinpoint Hawkins touch finder. Yet, Tuipulotu’s try moments later left Scarlets facing an uphill battle.
Controversial moment alert: A disallowed try for Henry Thomas and a yellow card for Pau’s Reece Hewat shifted momentum, with Tom Rogers setting up Hughes for a crucial score. Plumtree’s powerful run gave Scarlets their first lead since the eighth minute, but Pau’s replacements—particularly Seneca and Attissogbe—exploited defensive missteps to reclaim control.
Thought-provoking question: Did Scarlets lose this match, or did Pau simply outclass them? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The drama continued as Fletcher Anderson was denied a potential winning try, and lengthy TMO reviews added to the tension. Pau had the final say, with Attissogbe and Tokolahi capping off a stunning performance.
Teams:
- Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, Roberts, James, Mee; Hawkins, Hughes; Mathias, Elias, Thomas, Lousi, Ball, Plumtree, Macleod (capt), Anderson.
Replacements: Van der Merwe, Hepburn, O'Connor, Price, Davis, Blacker, Leggatt-Jones, Nicholas.
- Pau: Attissogbe; Arfeuil, Decron, Valentino, Butlin; Desperes, Daubagna (capt); Etchebehere, Delhommel, Arrieta, Jolmes, Capelli, Zegueur, Hewat, Tuipulotu.
Replacements: Rey, Seneca, Tokolahi, Liufau, Iosefo, Pelesasa, Robson, Mondinat.
Officials: Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco) | Assistants: Ian Kenny (Sco), Finlay Brown (Sco) | TMO: Dave Sutherland (Sco) | Sin Bin: Hewat (34), Decron (50)
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Pau’s victory was a statement, but Scarlets’ fightback proved they’re far from finished. What did you make of the match? Was Pau’s win deserved, or did Scarlets let it slip away? Let the debate begin!
