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The Scarlets and Exeter Chiefs are both still looking for their first victory in the Pool and will see this clash as the perfect way for them to get a much-needed win after they both lost their opening two games. - 07/12/2012 07:20
The Scarlets and Exeter Chiefs are both still looking for their first victory in the Pool and will see this clash as the perfect way for them to get a much-needed win after they both lost their opening two games.
Both sides know that a bonus point victory is a must if they are to hang on to the coat tails of the two European juggernauts and the two sides – ASM Clermont Auvergne and defending champions Leinster – fighting it out for top spot in the Pool.
The Welsh side, who are second in the Pro12, have suffered two morale sapping defeats to a couple of this season’s favourites to be crowned Kings of Europe but welcome back key internationals like Jonathan Davies and Matthew Rees.
The English side, who are mid-table in the Premiership, have yet to score a try in this Pool but won’t have a better chance to do that than against the Scarlets who have leaked the most tries in the group.
The Chiefs, who are in their first season of Heineken Cup rugby, have impressed everybody but they will be wary of the Scarlets experience in the tournament, especially at home at Parc Y Scarlets.
The Scarlets need to get back to winning ways and have lost five or their last six matches in the Heineken Cup and have a record of won 13 and lost 18 against English opponents in the tournament.
The Chiefs will be able to tap into the inside knowledge of their lock Damien Welch, who joined from the Scarlets in the summer, and spent a couple of seasons in west Wales.
Match Facts
• Scarlets have 13 wins and 18 losses against English opposition in this tournament, a win rate of 42%.
• The Welsh side have lost five of their last six Heineken Cup matches, three of which were settled by margins of a converted try or under.
• Exeter are one of two teams yet to touch down for a try in this year’s tournament, the other being scoreless Edinburgh.
• Exeter have averaged the most passes per game so far this season (179).
• Scarlets’ 14 turnovers conceded so far this season is the lowest total in the tournament.
Exeter Chiefs picked up their first Heineken Cup win in their short European history with victory over the Scarlets in Llanelli. - 08/12/2012 15:35
Exeter Chiefs picked up their first Heineken Cup win in their short European history with victory over the Scarlets in Llanelli.
The tournament debutants bounced back from their heavy home defeat to ASM Clermont Auvergne to run out 22-13 victors at Parc-y-Scarlets.
A Haydn Thomas try and 17 points from the boot of fly-half Gareth Steenson sealed an historic success after the Chiefs came so close to shocking Heineken Cup holders Leinster in Round 1.
Exeter started brightly in West Wales as a typically powerful burst from Fijian centre Sireli Naqelevuki paved the way for the opening try with just five minutes on the clock.
Fine support work from Thomas saw the former Gloucester, Bath and Bristol scrum-half touch down for a score which Steenson converted to put Exeter in early control.
Steenson slotted three first-half penalties compared to two from opposite number Rhys Priestland to give Rob Baxter’s men a 16-6 lead at the break and the Scarlets were unable to overturn the 10-point deficit despite winning the second period.
Two further strikes from Steenson either side of one from Aled Davies – a replacement for Priestland after the Wales star left the field of play on a stretcher – had the Chiefs 22-9 up before the hour and the hosts couldn’t find the comeback they required in the last quarter.
A converted penalty try when Chiefs prop Ben Moon was in the sin bin on 66 minutes gave the Scarlets hope but Exeter held firm to jump three points above their opponents in the tournament’s ‘Pool of Death’.
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