




It was an emotional start to the season for the Scarlets region as the Ray Gravell statue was unveiled in front of an appreciative crowd of family, friends and fans.
Inside Parc y Scarlets, a 6,075 crowd brought the stadium to life and witnessed an exciting Magners League opener.
A brief kicking battle ensued, with neither side gaining ground or useful possession. However, wing Lamont showed his worth again with a try-saving tackle on much-capped Ireland wide man Shane Horgan.
Leinster returned to the Scarlets 22 and the home side stood firm until Jonathan Sexton slotted over a penalty kick for his side's first three points.
Leinster took the lead on 18 minutes when hugely experienced full-back Girvan Dempsey was given a clear run to the line. Sexton converted and added another penalty shortly afterwards. The Dubliners led 13-7.
Just after the half-hour, Pugh received a yellow card for a professional foul. This was soon followed by a penalty goal for Sexton, giving Leinster a 16-7 advantage.
If losing one man didn't make life hard enough, the Scarlets were dealt another blow as the interval approached when new prop Rhys Thomas was binned after an indiscretion at a ruck.
With just 13 men on the park, the last moments of the first half were much more difficult than they should have been. However, those remaining defended their line bravely against dangerous-looking overlaps on both sides.
The tackling was phenomenal and even with a two-man overlap Leinster could not get their men over the line. The Scarlets managed to clear.
| No. | Name | T | C | D | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Dan Evans |
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| 14 | Sean Lamont |
1T |
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| 13 | Rob Higgitt |
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| 12 | Jonathan Davies |
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| 11 | Mark Jones (capt) |
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| 10 | Rhys Priestland |
1C |
2P |
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| 9 | Martin Roberts |
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| 1 | Iestyn Thomas |
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| 2 | Ken Owens |
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| 3 | Rhys Thomas |
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| 4 | Lou Reed |
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| 5 | Dom Day |
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| 6 | Simon Easterby |
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| 7 | Richie Pugh |
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| 8 | David Lyons |
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| 16 | Phil John |
1T |
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| 17 | Emyr Phillips |
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| 18 | Deacon Manu |
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| 19 | Vernon Cooper |
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| 20 | Dafydd Jones |
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| 21 | Lee Williams |
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| 22 | Dan Newton |
|
| No. | Name | T | C | D | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Girvan Dempsey |
1T |
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| 14 | Shane Horgan |
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| 13 | Fergus McFadden |
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| 12 | Shaun Berne |
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| 11 | Isikeli Nacewa |
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| 10 | Jonathan Sexton |
1C |
3P |
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| 9 | Chris Keane |
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| 1 | Cian Healy |
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| 2 | John Fogarty |
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| 3 | Stanley Wright |
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| 4 | Leo Cullen (capt) |
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| 5 | Malcolm O'Kelly |
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| 6 | Kevin McLaughlin |
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| 7 | Shane Jennings |
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| 8 | Stephen Keogh |
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| 16 | Jason Harris-Wright |
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| 17 | Mike Ross |
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| 18 | Devin Toner |
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| 19 | Sean O'Brien |
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| 20 | Paul O'Donohoe |
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| 21 | Simon Keogh |
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| 22 | Niall Morris |
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