In a heart-stopping clash that left fans on the edge of their seats, Pau delivered a seven-try masterclass to dent the Scarlets' knockout hopes in the European Champions Cup, leaving the Welsh side's dreams hanging by a thread. But here's where it gets controversial—was this a case of Pau's brilliance or Scarlets' missed opportunities? Let’s dive into the drama that unfolded in Llanelli.
European Champions Cup Pool 4
Scarlets (24) 38
Tries: Macleod (2), Hughes, Plumtree, Hawkins | Cons: Hawkins (2) | Pen: Hawkins
Pau (26) 47
Tries: Butlin (2), Mondinat, Tuipulotu, Seneca, Attissogbe, Tokolahi | Cons: Desperes (6)
Pau withstood a fierce Scarlets comeback in the second half to secure a thrilling victory. The Top 14 side raced into a commanding lead with four tries in the first 30 minutes, leaving Dwayne Peel's men reeling. Explosive wing Toshi Butlin stole the show early, crossing the line twice, while Clement Mondinat and Carywn Tuipulotu—against his former team—sealed the bonus point.
Scarlets fought back valiantly, with Josh Macleod scoring twice and Archie Hughes narrowing the gap to just two points. Taine Plumtree and Joe Hawkins added to the fight after the break, giving fans a glimmer of hope. But Pau’s class shone through with three unanswered tries from Remi Seneca, Theo Attissogbe, and Siate Tokolahi, showcasing their depth and resilience.
And this is the part most people miss—Scarlets now face a must-win away game against Northampton Saints next Sunday to keep their slim hopes of a top-four finish alive. Meanwhile, Pau takes on the Bulls on Friday, riding high on this victory. Currently fifth, Scarlets could still drop into the Challenge Cup knockout phases, but their fate hangs in the balance.
The match began with Scarlets applying early pressure, but after two repelled driving mauls, they settled for a Hawkins penalty. However, a quick-tap penalty by Attissogbe released Butlin, who showcased his pace to score his first try. His European debut became even more memorable when he intercepted a looping pass from Desperes to double his tally.
Pau’s dominance continued with a devastating eight-minute spell, as Attissogbe broke the line to set up replacement Mondinat for their third try. Just as Scarlets seemed out of it, Hawkins’ precision and Macleod’s power brought them back into the contest. Yet, Pau responded ruthlessly, with Tuipulotu’s try leaving Scarlets facing an uphill battle.
Scarlets refused to yield, with Macleod’s second try and Hughes’ sprint to the line keeping them in the fight. Even with Pau flanker Reece Hewat in the sin bin, Scarlets couldn’t capitalize fully. Plumtree’s powerful run gave them the lead briefly, but Pau’s replacements—particularly Seneca and Attissogbe—exploited defensive lapses to regain control.
Here’s the bold question: Did Scarlets lose this match, or did Pau simply outclass them? The final drama included lengthy TMO replays and a disallowed try for Scarlets, leaving fans frustrated. Pau sealed the deal with Attissogbe and Tokolahi’s late tries, finishing with flair.
What do you think? Was this Pau’s triumph or Scarlets’ missed opportunity? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Teams:
Scarlets: Murray; Rogers, Roberts, James, Mee; Hawkins, Hughes; Mathias, Elias, Thomas, Lousi, Ball, Plumtree, Macleod (capt), Anderson.
Replacements: Van der Merwe, Hepburn, O'Connor, Price, Davis, Blacker, Leggatt-Jones, Nicholas.
Pau: Attissogbe; Arfeuil, Decron, Valentino, Butlin; Desperes, Daubagna (capt); Etchebehere, Delhommel, Arrieta, Jolmes, Capelli, Zegueur, Hewat, Tuipulotu.
Replacements: Rey, Seneca, Tokolahi, Liufau, Iosefo, Pelesasa, Robson, Mondinat.
Officials:
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco)
Assistants: Ian Kenny (Sco), Finlay Brown (Sco)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (Sco)
Sin bin: Hewat (34), Decron (50)
