Sam Costelow converted Ryan Conbeer’s late try as the Scarlets secured a place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals with a superb 32-30 triumph over 14-man Clermont Auvergne.
The Welsh region got off to an outstanding start, going 15-3 in front through Leigh Halfpenny and Costelow tries before Irae Simone got the visitors back into the contest.
Simone would soon go from hero to zero, however, when he was red carded for connecting with the head of Halfpenny.
To Clermont’s credit, they battled back and levelled matters through Alivereti Raka’s try before Anthony Belleau’s penalty took them in front.
And although Johnny Williams’ effort moved the Scarlets back ahead at the break, Auvergne controlled much of the second period and looked to have won the game as Raka and Giorgi Beria touched down.
Costelow’s three-pointer set up an exciting final 10 minutes, though, and they would claim their place in the last-four of the Challenge Cup thanks to Conbeer’s score, which was converted from out wide by their fly-half.
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Belleau and Halfpenny exchanged early penalties before Scarlets thrilled the home crowd by scoring a wonderful try.
On halfway, the hosts nicked an opposition line-out before swift handling gave Steff Evans the opportunity to show his pace down the right flank. The wing burst away before kicking ahead for Halfpenny to win the race for the touchdown.
Scarlets soon had another try. An under-pressure Baptiste Jauneau threw out a poor pass which resulted in both Costelow and Steff Evans hacking the ball forward before Costelow collected a favourable bounce to score.
Halfpenny converted to give his side a handy 15-3 lead at the end of an entertaining first quarter but Clermont showed their mettle with Damian Penaud chipping over Halfpenny’s head and when the ball bounced loose, Simone picked up to score.
Two minutes later, Simone turned villain as his head-high challenge on Halfpenny saw the Scarlets’ full-back receive lengthy medical attention before leaving the field with the New Zealand centre ordered off.
Costelow took over the goal-kicking but missed with the resulting penalty from 40 metres and his side suffered another setback when lock Vaea Fifita was sin-binned for dragging down a maul.
Clermont capitalised to take the lead for the first time. Their powerful forwards built up a head of steam before a well-judged cross-field kick from Belleau saw Raka gather with Belleau converting before adding a penalty.
Scarlets immediately struck back by taking advantage of another French error when Williams picked off a telegraphed pass from Alex Newsome to run 30 metres with Costelow’s conversion leaving the home side 22-18 ahead at the interval.
By the tips of his fingers 😳@LeighHalfpenny1 gets the opener for @scarlets_rugby 👏#ChallengeCupRugby pic.twitter.com/IZZnDYSNMc
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) April 7, 2023
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Within four minutes of the restart, Gareth Davies was sin-binned for a trip and Clermont were immediately back in front when Raka bounced off two defenders to score his second try.
Kieran Hardy came on in place of Davies as Scarlets returned to 15 but the third quarter was dominated by the French visitors, who penned their opponents in their own half.
The hosts suffered a major blow when number eight Sione Kalamafoni was helped off with a leg injury before Clermont scored their fourth try when Beria drove over from close range.
Scarlets looked beaten but Costelow kicked a penalty before Conbeer squeezed over in the corner for Costelow to deliver the final blow and set up a home semi-final against Glasgow Warriors or Lions.