By Graham Thomas It was the defeat that launched a thousand jokes. Most of them, it has to be said, based around the same suggestion that Black Lion were a pub team, rather than the best club in Georgia. This time last year, the Scarlets lost at home to the Georgian team whose name suggests […]

The Scarlets had victory snatched away for them at the death as they fell to a 17-16 defeat in the first round of the EPCR Challenge Cup in Bayonne. It looked as though the visitors could be heading home with a win under their belts when Ioan Lloyd struck a long-range penalty to edge his side ahead 16-14 with six minutes left to play.

Dwayne Peel says he’s delighted to see so many of his Scarlets receive “the greatest honour” of being selected by their country. Eight of his players have been named in the Wales squad for the autumn internationals, with the uncapped Blair Murray joined by fellow wing Tom Rogers, centre Eddie James, fly-half Sam Costelow, back rower Taine Plumtree, hooker Ryan Elias and props Kemsley Mathias and Henry Thomas.

Dwayne Peel declared himself satisfied as his Scarlets team secured a third successive win in the United Rugby Championship by beating Zebre Parma 30-8 in Llanelli. Tries from Tom Rogers, Macs Page, Blair Murray and captain Josh Macleod helped Scarlets recover from Ben Cambriani’s early score for the Italians to earn the bonus point.

Gareth Davies has been backed to continue delivering the goods for the Scarlets – despite his surprise retirement from international rugby. The Wales scrum-half decided to end his Test career on Thursday, just four days before Warren Gatland is due to name his squad for the autumn series.

There are big decisions to be made in Welsh rugby right now – such as who does Warren Gatland pick in his squad next week and should the Wales coach be able to stick his nose into other people’s business. Gatland is due to name his group of players for the autumn internationals on Monday, as he attempts to turn the tide in matches against Fiji, Australia and South Africa.

Having now completed a hat-trick of leagues, Henry Thomas is ideally placed to compare the contrasting competitions. He spent 11 seasons in the English Premiership with Sale and Bath, before embarking on a three-year stint in the French Top 14 with Montpellier and Castres.

Jonathan Davies has admitted he is going to miss rugby hugely after bringing down the curtain on his 18-year senior career. The former Wales, British and Irish Lions and Scarlets centre Jonathan announced his retirement from professional rugby on Sunday.

Scarlets skipper Josh Macleod has paid tribute to his team of “warriors” and to the support from the travelling fans after a nerve-jangling 25-19 victory over Cardiff at a sold-out Arms Park. Flanker Macleod had to watch on from the sin bin as the visitors were left with just 13 men for eight minutes in the closing stages of the United Rugby Championship derby after both he and wing Tom Rogers were yellow carded in quick succession.

Dwayne Peel is a man under pressure, but he has got used to that. The Scarlets coach takes his team to Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, still seeking a first win of the season after three rounds of the United Rugby Championship.

Alun Lawrence is proof that a lot can happen in 12 months in the life of a professional rugby player. When he helped Cardiff Rugby secure a BKT United Rugby Championship victory over the Scarlets a fortnight ago, it coincided with a telling anniversary.

Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt admitted his team had been on a rollercoaster ride that eventually ended with them thrown off the track by Glasgow. The Arms Park club had their moments, but were often a defensive shambles as they were eventually hammered 52-26 in front of their own fans.