Davies at the double for Scarlets in Cardiff

Rugby World Cup

Cardiff (10) 17

Cons: Sheedy 2 Pens: Sheedy, Adams, Grady

Scarlets (7) 21

A try double from scrum-half Gareth Davies allowed Scarlets to continue their Arms Park dominance against Cardiff in the Rugby World Cup (URC).

Former Wales scrum-half Davies, 35, scored two tries in a third successive match at Arms Park.

The Scarlets’ winning run at Cardiff’s home ground, which dates back to 2019, is extended by Centre Eddie James’ scoring.

With the yellow cards for Josh Macleod, Davies, and Johnny Williams, Cardiff dominated the territory and possession in a pulsating derby but was unable to capitalize on Scarlets’ poor judgment.

Only two tries, both by Mason Grady and Josh Adams, were made by the Blue and Blacks from more than 20 attempts into the Scarlets 22.

After Peel switched his starting lineup for the 50-21 defeat against Bordeaux-Begles, Scarlets were boosted by the return of Wales full-back Blair Murray, who had made six changes from the side that defeated Ulster.

The home team predominated the opening exchanges and a knock-on knock-on prevented a James Botham try early in the second half.

After conceding a penalty close to the line, Scarlets’ prop Henry Thomas was fortunate to avoid being sent off, but visiting captain Macleod was given a warning about how many of his teammates had acted unfairly.

The hosts were unable to exert any pressure, as the defense of Scarlets resisted the wave of attacks.

Scarlets taught their rivals a lesson in ruthlessness by giving center James the chance to stroll over with Joe Hawkins scoring from the penalty spot with eighteen Fletcher Anderson making the hard yards.

Referee Ben Breakspear issued a decision to Macleod for a ridiculous off-the-ball tackle on Sheedy, despite the number of penalties awarded.

When Davies was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, Scarlets were reduced to 13 men a few minutes later.

When Grady was given the ball, Sheedy converted from the touchline, to score from the left corner, Cardiff made their numerical advantage known.

When Cardiff had a two-man overlap, Murray managed to avoid being the third Scarlets player to receive a yellow card after being found guilty of a tackle.

A Sheedy penalty just before the interval gave Cardiff a 10-7 half-time lead, and the Scarlets’ obstinate defense held on unwavering ground.

Thomas and James held up Cardiff number eight Alun Lawrence over the Scarlets line in the second half, which was originally written in the same style.

As scrum-half Davies continued his Arms Park try-scoring love affair by sniping down the side, Peel’s side once more showed their opponents a clinical edge. The Scarlets had a four-point lead after converting from Hawkins.

When Adams was fortunate enough to receive a cunning Sheedy chip to expertly score in the corner, that quickly vanished.

Taulupe Faletau, who has recovered from a knee injury he sustained in October that prevented him from playing in the November Tests, made a number eight change in Cardiff.

Davies jumped up for a signature 70-meter interception after Scarlets refused to leave.

A sharp Faletau break, which was followed by a third Scarlets yellow card for center Williams for a professional foul at a ruck, kept the tie at a tumultuous pace.

Before Murray was fouled in the 78th minute, Cardiff was unable to score any points on the extra player.

The first of five festive derbies in Wales took place on December 26 and January 1 with two more games taking place on January 26.

At the end of the year, it remains to be seen how the local derby scene will look.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has proposed to cut one of its four professional sides, making it uncertain at this time in Wales’ domestic game.

The governing body of Welsh rugby has proposed to grant three professional men’s clubs a license.

One in Cardiff, one in the east, and one in the west could lead to a Swansea-based Ospreys and Scarlets survival battle.

Cardiff was temporarily put in administration in April, but the WRU eventually decided to take control of the business, with the governing body anticipating a new year’s sale to new investors.

Another way the governing body could get its wish of losing a men’s professional side has been linked to the owners of Ospreys, Y11 Sport &amp, Media.

Ospreys or the club’s owners have so far not commented on the rumors about Cardiff, which have sparked concern among supporters for their side’s future.

Replacements: Beetham, Barratt, Wainwright, Thornton, Mann, Faletau, Mulder, and E Lloyd.

Murray, Rogers, James, James, J Williams, Anderson, Mee, Hawkins, G Davies, Mathias, Elias, H Thomas, Lousi, Ball, Douglas, Macleod (capt).

Van Der Merwe, Hepburn, H O’Connor, T Davies, Taylor, A Hughes, Price, and J Roberts are the replacements.

Sin-bin: Macleod 26, G Davies 28, J Williams 60.

Referee: Wales’ Ben Breakspear

Assistants: Ben Whitehouse & Ben Connor (Wales).