The Scarlets gave the French side a real fright but the home side managed to scrape through to the semi-finals on the back of a dominant scrum and a staunch defence as the Scarlets went for the jugular in the dying stages but came up short.
The Scarlets were forced into a late re-shuffle before the game when prop Deacon Manu was ruled out due to concussion. Peter Edwards was promoted to the starting line-up in with Simon Gardiner taking up his spot on the bench. Kieran Murphy also moved onto the bench after lock Dominic Day pulled out.
Brive signalled their intent from the outset, running the kick-off straight back with forwards and backs showing sublime passing and handling skills. The Scarlets managed to weather the storm and actually had the chance to open the scoring in the fifth minute but Stephen Jones’s penalty sailed agonizingly wide.
England forgotten man Shane Geraghty was at the heart of everything for Brive in the opening quarter. Whether it was bringing the big forwards on to the ball at pace, firing out slick passes or pegging the Scarlets back with his boot, he was enjoying the opening stanzas.
It was from such kick which led to Brive opening the scoring in the 16th minute. The French side camped inside the Scarlets 22 and dismantled a scrum. Riaan Swanepoel stepped up and added the easy penalty. He had the chance to double the lead two minutes later but hacked his shot wide after the Scarlets were penalised behind the gainline.
Jones had a chance to level matters but he fluffed an easy shot at goal after centre Gareth Maule stormed into Brive territory. But he soon made amends when No 8 Ben Mogan burst from a scrum close to the line. Brive infringed at the ruck and Jones made them pay to level the score 3-3 after 30mins.
Swanepoel edged Brive back in front five minutes from the break with a long range penalty after Matthew Rees was deemed offside. Jones evened the score on the stroke of halftime after the Scarlets turned the tables on the Brive front row as the French side were pinged for bringing a scrum down.
Swanepoel put Brive back in front six minutes after the break after the Scarlets scrum had buckled. The scrum, and Edwards in particular, was again smashed to bits and Swanepoel again applied the extra points.
The Scarlets then stunned the home side when full back Liam Williams plunged over after a slick backline move. The Welsh side had somehow hauled themselves to within a point of Brive and were right in the mix.
With the Scarlets bringing on new blood with Ken Owens, Gardiner, Rhys Priestland and Phil John all joining the fray, Brive had to withstand constant pressure from the Welsh side.
But Swanepoel’s fifth success of the evening two minutes from time ended Welsh hopes in the tournmament as Brive celebrated a dogged victory.
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