Scarlets remain winless after late heartbreak against Connacht

The Scarlets slipped to a 24-23 home defeat to Connacht

The Scarlets remain winless this season after a 78th minute penalty from Connacht centre Cathal Forde condemned the Welsh club to their second successive defeat in Llanelli.

Wales outside-half Sam Costelow appeared to have given the west Walians a morale boosting victory with a late penalty before Forde struck two minutes from time after South African hooker Marnus van der Merwe had been penalised. This was the Scarlets' second defeat in succession following their opening round draw in Treviso while it was Connacht's 11th win in succession against Welsh opposition.

The Scarlets gifted Connacht their opening try when a wild pass from full-back Ioan Nicholas over his own try line fell into the grateful hands of Piers O'Conor with Jack Carty converting. Things went from bad to worse for the Scarlets when wing Tom Rogers got sent to the sin bin for preventing Connacht from taking a lineout quickly.

Connacht took full advantage of their extra man when Ireland wing Mack Hansen strolled over out wide after the Irish province had worked an overlap. Carty added the extras to give the visitors a 14-0 lead but the Scarlets were given a reprieve when star Ireland centre Bundee Aki got yellow carded for a high tackle on Costelow.

The Scarlets claimed their first try when Gareth Davies touched down from short-range. Davies was soon celebrating his second try after centres Eddie James and Johnny Williams had combined nicely to put the Wales scrum-half over.

But Connacht hit back with a length of the field try as backrower Conor Oliver and Paul Boyle combined to put scrum-half Ben Murphy over with Carty converting to give the visitors a 21-14 lead at the interval. Both Costelow and Ioan Lloyd reduced the deficit with two successful penalties.

The Scarlets finally took the lead in the 73rd minute through Costelow's boot before their hearts got broke by Forde.