Mike Ford’s French giants eventually picked up four tries as Mamuka Gorgodze, Leigh Halfpenny and Romain Taofifenua crossed before the break and Guilhem Guirado added the bonus-point score early in the second half.

Wales hooker Ken Owens powered over for the Scarlets in the first half and John Barclay scored in the final few minutes but 11 points from the boot of Halfpenny proved to be the difference between the sides. The game had barely got started before the Scarlets were behind, Gorgodze crashing over after man of the match Mathieu Bastareaud had put a hole in the visiting defence.

Wales full-back Halfpenny converted and then scored a try of his own – Bastareaud again the creator – to extend the lead and while the Scarlets threw the ball wide at every opportunity, the French giants and their dominant pack remained the main threat.

Patchell booted two penalties to keep his team in touch but Taofifenua reached for the line to score Toulon’s third in what was an entertaining encounter.

Halfpenny’s boot kept the Scarlets at bay but Wayne Pivac’s men refused to go away. Against what was a giant Toulon pack, Owens took a flat pass close to the line and his excellent low body position saw him make his way over the line through two opposition tackles. Patchell converted to make it 24-13 to the home side at half time.

At that stage, the Scarlets were well in the game and they started the second period with the sort of intent which showed they believed they could take something back to Llanelli.

Gareth Davies dived for the line but was tackled just short before the game’s crucial moment arrived. Scott Williams looked to have found Steffan Evans with a try scoring pass, the winger running round to dot down near the posts.

The score, though, was ruled out for a knock-on by Williams before he passed to Evans handing Toulon a lifeline at a time when they were up against it.

It was one they took. The home side went straight up the other end and Guirado was the scorer as another huge forward surge from a line-out splintered the visiting pack. Halfpenny once again converted on what was a perfect day with the boot for the Wales ace.

That made the score 31-13 and although the final quarter saw both teams throw the ball around, there was to be just one more score.

Taofifenua was sent to the sin bin for dragging down a line-out and with a man advantage, the Scarlets struck. Barclay powered over late on and Patchell converted but it wasn’t enough.