Scarlets Director of Rugby Nigel Davies has paid tribute to the bravery of his team in the wake of their dramatic last-gasp victory over in-form Ulster.
Having gone into the game lying bottom of the table, the west Wales region defied the odds by triumphing 27-22 thanks to a superb match-winning try from wing Ellis Mee in the 83rd minute.
They had led 17-12 at the break but came under sustained pressure in the second half while playing into the wind and it looked as though they were going to lose out when Nathan Doak put Ulster in front with a penalty five minutes from time.
But then, in the final play deep into stoppage time, they struck as the excellent Sam Costelow sent out a long pass to fellow Wales squad member Mee who sliced between two defenders to score and spark scenes of wild celebrations.
Davies said: “We have asked the boys to be brave and relentless and that’s what they were. They were brave and they have given hope.
“We had a tough second half, we couldn’t really get out of the territory, but they kept on going.
“We defended fantastically for long periods in that second half and we knew these guys are capable. When they get half a chance, half an opportunity, they can score tries like that. To take that try there, what a finish from Ellis.
“One of my key themes is understanding our DNA as a rugby team and we are at our best when we are moving the ball, we are keeping it alive and we are moving it quickly around the park.
“I have said if we are going to go down, we will go down fighting and we’ve got to be brave. We have got to be clever and smart as well.
“We have got a young back line and sometimes you will have your head in your hands, but there’s no other way that Scarlets can play and be successful.
“What this team was missing was a big win and that’s a big win against an excellent Ulster side.
“The challenge with the group is not that they are not good enough, it is getting them to believe and that result is a first step in that.”