Scarlets 7-34 Saracens

Scarlets (0) 7
Try: E Phillips Con: S Shingler.
Saracens (8) 34
Tries: Short, H Smith, Ransom, George, Cato Cons: Farrell 3. Pen: Farrell.

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Matt Stevens takes on the Scarlets on his return to the sport

Saracens romped to a comfortable LV= Cup win over Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets where the visitors ran in five tries to one.

England prop Matt Stevens made his return from the bench as a Sarries debutant following his two-year ban for cocaine use.

James Short, Hayden Smith, Ben Ransom Jamie George and Noah Cato scored Saracens tries.

The hosts' reply came late on from hooker Emyr Phillips.

Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell kicked three conversions and a penalty while Scarlets' Steven Shingler converted Phillips' score.

Despite this heavy defeat the Scarlets - who were without 20 frontline players due to international calls and injuries - can still qualify for the semi-finals if they beat Newport Gwent Dragons on Thursday, 3 February at Rodney Parade.

But Saracens' win put them into the hunt for a place in the knock-out stages as they target Sunday's clash against Sale at Vicarage Road.

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Scarlets boss Nigel Davies:
"We played well at times but we just couldn't hold on to the ball," he said.

"In fairness to Saracens they brought a big physicality to the game and when sides do that they will pressurise you.

"We were able to blood a few guys today because we have nine players on international duty and another 11 injured.

"It is great experience and exposure for these players."

Saracens coach Mark McCall:
"Matt scrummaged very well when he came on and he is going to get better and better the more he plays and the more match fitness he gets.

"He's been out of rugby for a very long time so he is still learning our systems but he did well from a scrummaging point of view.

"But our whole scrum was good. We have got a young guy called Jared Saunders who did well for us.

"We might give Matt a go at tight-head next week (against Sale)."

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Scarlets: Evans; L Williams, Reynolds, James, Ajuwa; S Shingler, Roberts, John, Phillips, R Thomas, Day, Welch, A. Shingler, Cudd, Morgan, Lyons.
Replacements: Randall for L Williams (70), G Davies for Roberts (54), R Jones for R Thomas (54), Howells for Day (59), Cooper for Welch (54), Lyons for Morgan (37), Lawrence for Lyons (58).
Not Used: J Williams.

Saracens: Wyles; Short, Penney, Farrell, Cato; Goode, Barrett; Saunders, George, Nieto, Smith, Botha, K Brown, Burger, Wray.
Replacements: Ransom for Short (48), de Kock for Barrett (48), Stevens for Saunders (48), Reynecke for George (64), Du Plessis for Nieto (53), Ryder for Botha (66), Barrell for K Brown (58).
Not Used: Mordt.

Att: 6,610

Ref: Llyr ap Geraint-Roberts (RFU).