Scarlets wrapped up their pre-season with a gutsy performance in difficult conditions at Parc y Scarlets, going down to an international-studded Saracens side 26-14.
While Nigel Davies and his coaching team will have pointed out areas to work on, they would have been encouraged by plenty of aspects of the display, notably the way youngsters like Osian Williams and Will Evans went toe to toe with a heavyweight visiting pack.
Williams, on his 20th birthday, was particularly impressive at No. 8, while there were also standout displays from Sam Lousi at blindside flanker and back-three speedsters Blair Murray and Macs Page.
Saracens, as expected, highlighted their power game and look like they will be a force in the Gallagher PREM this season, especially with the additions of Tomos Williams, Alfie Barbeary and George Martin.
Scarlets, meanwhile, turn their focus to a massive URC opener against Cardiff at the Parc.
With rain sweeping in, both sides took the field stacked with international talent, Scarlets welcoming back their Wales stars, while Sarries included a pride of Lions in their squad – Maro Itoje, Elliot Daly, Williams, Ben Earl and Owen Farrell.
Farrell actually made his Saracens debut against Scarlets 18 years ago at Vicarage Road and entered the fray at the start of the second half.
His side had built a 14-7 lead after what had been an evenly-contested first half during which the West Walians had struck first.
The lively Blair Murray raced up the touchline and when the ball was recycled, play was switched back towards Wales centre Eddie James who cut open the defence to dive over at the posts. Sam Costelow added the extras.
Saracens hit straight back when, after a strong run by No. 8 Alfie Barbeary, inside centre Olly Hartley powered over for a try converted by fly-half Fergus Burke.
In the closing minutes of the half, Saracens claimed their second.
After a midfield break by Wales centre Nick Tompkins, Scarlets wing Ellis Mee was shown yellow for slowing down ball at a ruck after tracking back to tackle Tompkins and from the close-range line-out the visitors’ pack rumbled over for a try scored by replacement hooker Eoghan Clarke. Burke’s second conversion made it 14-7 at the break.
Saracens extended their lead six minutes after the restart through England international George Martin, finishing off a clever tap-penalty move, then replacement Sione Vae’nuku added another to make it 26-7.
However, after emptying their bench, Scarlets finished the game strongly and were rewarded with a first Scarlets try for prop Josh Morse, who was driven over from close range. Gareth Anscombe added the extras.
Scarlets: Blair Murray (repl Ioan Jones 66); Ellis Mee (repl Ioan Nicholas 40-50), Joe Roberts (repl Joe Hawkins HT), Eddie James (repl Roberts 61), Macs Page (repl Isaac Murray-Macgregor 78); Sam Costelow (repl Gareth Anscombe 38), Dane Blacker (repl Archie Hughes HT; repl Gareth Davies 68); Corey Domachowski (repl Josh Morse 43), Ryan Elias (repl John McKee 20; repl Elias HT; repl McKee 61), Gabe Hawley (repl Henry Thomas 25; repl Harri O’Connor 60), Harvey Cuckson (repl Gabe Cahsay 63), Will Evans (repl Jac Price 60), Sam Lousi (repl Joe Denman 58), Josh Macleod (capt; repl Dom Kossuth 55), Osian Williams.
Referee: Ben Breakspear (WRU)