The Scarlets suffered a 54-26 defeat to the Bulls in Pretoria, despite threatening an upset before falling away late on.
Backline ratings
Ioan Nicholas earned a 7 rating, growing into the match as the Scarlets' attack began to click, beating defenders and making things happen. Archie Hughes, a late change forced onto the wing, dropped one high ball but kept going and almost created a score before getting his reward soon after, earning a 6.
Joe Roberts scored another big second-half try but no hat-trick this week, rated 6. Gabe McDonald provided a nice catch-and-pass for the Scarlets' first score but was loose at times, also rated 6. Isaac Murray-MacGregor had a kick out on the full early on and a few loose moments, but showed handling skills in the build-up to McKee's score, earning a 6.
Carwyn Leggatt-Jones delivered another assured performance at fly-half, with a lovely kick ahead for his half-back partner's disallowed score and superb movement for Hughes' try, rated 7. Gareth Davies was held up over the line early on but didn't panic in the build-up to the Scarlets' second, having a try of his own chalked off for offside, rated 6.
Forward pack and replacements
Corey Domachowski managed 52 minutes on his return from injury, with a great tip-on pass setting up the Scarlets' second, rated 6. John McKee was in the right place for the Scarlets' first try and got through a lot of work despite an imperfect lineout, rated 7. Harri O'Connor had early scrum penalties against him before being forced off before the half-hour mark, rated 5.
Tom Allen had some nice moments on debut but was slow to react in defence for Sebastian de Klerk's score, rated 6. Alex Groves showed a lovely running line in the build-up to Lousi's try, rated 6. Sam Lousi seemed to switch off ahead of Willie le Roux's try but showed brilliant support work to stretch out for a score, ending his afternoon through injury, rated 6.
Josh Macleod made a big jackal in the Bulls' 22 to win a penalty right after the home side's first try, as expected from the captain, rated 7. Fletcher Anderson led the way on both sides of the ball with a deft pass to put Lousi over, rated 7.
Among the replacements, Dane Blacker brought plenty of tempo when he came on, with a lovely break from deep and a role in Roberts' try, rated 7. Blacker was namechecked by the Wales coaches in the week, and this performance won't have hurt his chances of a call-up in the near future. Gareth Anscombe was on for the last 20 minutes but was helpless to fight the Bulls' late dominance, rated 5.
