The Scarlets opened their European campaign with a 47-14 victory over Newcastle at Parc y Scarlets. Here is how the players rated.
Back three and centres shine
Blair Murray (8) stepped through Newcastle's line in the first half when there seemed to be no gap, beating eight defenders and posing a constant threat with ball in hand. He is the favourite for the Wales full-back jersey this autumn.
Ellis Mee (9) regathered the first kick-off and was busy throughout, nearly scoring after latching onto a cross-field kick from Davies before creating the Scarlets' fourth try when nothing appeared to be on. He got the try he deserved in the second half and is a frontrunner to start for Wales this autumn.
Joe Roberts (7) was very solid in defence, producing a superb jackal penalty in the first half and a lovely break in the build-up to Macs Page's first score. Johnny Williams (7) carried well and showed soft hands on occasion, finishing off the Scarlets' third try, though it was surprising to see him replaced so soon in the second half.
Half-backs and forwards impress
Macs Page (9) marked his 50th appearance with two tries, having looked full of confidence with trademark elusive runs and a bone-crunching tackle. He could not have done any more to earn a place in the Wales squad. Sam Costelow (7) opened the scoring by splintering the Newcastle defence, but departed injured in the first half after working well on the front foot.
Gareth Davies (8), in his 19th season as a professional, still produced quality performances, playing his part in the Scarlets' first two tries before crossing for his own at the end of the first half.
Kemsley Mathias (6) gave up a couple of penalties and slipped off five tackles, but was solid enough in anchoring the scrum. John McKee (7) saw the lineout wobble at times but got through a lot of work, though he was overeager and loose at times. Harri O'Connor (6) had a decent shift up front but missed a few tackles. Harvey Cuckson (6) was replaced at half-time after making a fair share of tackles in the first 40.
Alex Groves (7) took a great angle in the build-up to Williams' score and really put himself about. Sam Lousi (7) made a great lineout steal midway through the first half, then bettered it with a quality pull-back pass for the Scarlets' third score. Josh Macleod (9) had a field day at the breakdown, led the tackle count, and was the Scarlets' best player on the pitch as he stated his case for Wales selection, though he departed late with injury. Fletcher Anderson (8), back in the starting side for the first time this year, carried strongly and often, offloaded well, and tackled plenty.
Replacements make an impact
Ryan Elias (6) got through plenty of work in 14 minutes, being second only to Macleod in tackles per minute and first in carries per minute, before being forced off injured. Sam O'Connor (5) was pinged on one occasion with little else to say. Gabe Hawley (6) made his tackles during his cameo.
Taine Plumtree (7) came on at half-time and nearly scored within minutes, but could not hold on when looking to regather a loose ball near the line. Still, it was a very lively return to the side after injury. Dan Davis (7) threw himself into some tackles as he added late energy. Dane Blacker (6) was on for the final quarter and was solid enough. Joe Hawkins (8) came on earlier than expected, delivering a lovely floated pass off the left hand for Mee's score and a delicate grubber for Page's first, controlling matters well. Eddie James (6) was brought on early in the second half but didn't carry as much as you'd expect.
