Edinburgh v Scarlets: Five takeaways as ‘redemption story’ helps seal comeback win while Six Nations snubs ‘fire a message’ to coaches
Harry Paterson and Archie Hughes impressed for Edinburgh and Scarlets respectively.
Following a 24-19 victory for Edinburgh over the Scarlets at Hive Stadium on Friday, here’s our five takeaways from the United Rugby Championship (URC) match.
The top line
Edinburgh fought back from 14-0 down to claim a home win that keeps their top-eight hopes alive as the URC resumed with a crucial match at the bottom of the standings.
A brace from Ben Vellacott were added to by crossings from Magnus Bradbury and Harry Paterson, as Edinburgh picked up a priceless five points that takes them to 11th.
Scarlets will rue not coming away with an away triumph, though, as they certainly had a chance to do so, with their scores coming from Joe Roberts (two) and Sam Lousi.
They stay second-bottom on the URC table, but there was enough for Nigel Davies and Dwayne Peel to put together a positive review as this young side does have promise.
Redemption story
It looked as though Edinburgh full-back Paterson was destined to be the villain of the piece tonight when he was sin-binned for a deliberate, albeit reactionary, knock-on near halfway that led to Scarlets grabbing a game levelling score through the impressive Roberts seven minutes later with a well-taken finish on the right sideline.
However, upon his return to the contest, the promising Scotland international put that setback to one side and soon became his team’s hero, charging down a Carwyn Leggat-Jones kick with his head and somehow getting his bearings to regather before setting off for the try-line. It was deserved for a player who did not stop trying.
Scarlets spark
Scarlets scrum-half Archie Hughes was one of the standouts from this fixture as he injected speed into the match every time he touched the ball, which hurt the hosts.
Whether it was his sniping from the base, quick taps, perfectly weighted chip kicks or pace around the field, he was electric for the Scarlets and showed he is a talent.
Indeed, he stepped up admirably in the absence of Gareth Davies, and his partnership with 18-year-old Leggat-Jones was a bright spark for the Welshmen, with the fly-half in solid form himself as he filled in for Wales international Sam Costelow. Leggat-Jones kicked well off the tee and, despite a late error, has decent potential.
Snubbed Welsh duo make a point
It wasn’t just the Scarlets half-backs who caught the eye, but also centre Roberts and wing Tom Rogers, two backs who were overlooked by Wales for this Six Nations.
Roberts, in particular, was full of running and deservedly got himself on the scoreboard in both halves tonight, with his speed and power a big headache to the Scots.
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The Welsh number 12 jersey is certainly not locked up by any stretch after tweaks during the early Six Nations rounds, and Roberts has fired a message to Steve Tandy.
Likewise Rogers, whose last outing for Wales saw him cross for a hat-trick against the All Blacks in November. He might wonder what more he needs to do for a recall.
Bradbury impresses
Bradbury hasn’t played a minute for Scotland in the Six Nations thus far, but he certainly threw down a marker for his club side tonight in a typically industrious shift.
He got through a tonne of work with 13 carries and seven defenders beaten, solid numbers from the number eight, and he also got a crucial try soon after the interval.
The number eight was rewarded by being given the Player of the Match award and it was a decision that can have few complaints as both he and Ben Muncaster shone.
READ MORE: URC round 12: Predictions, teams, kick-off times, how to watch and referee appointments