Perpignan qualify by smashing the Scarlets

Perpignan smashed the Scarlets slim hopes of reaching the Heineken Cup quarter-finals with a bonus point 37-5 victory at Stade Aime Giral which secured the French team’s place in the quarter finals.

Perpignan ended up winning Pool 1 of the Heineken Cup with Leicester Tigers taking second place.

Three teams were still in contention to qualify from the pool ahead of today’s final games, but from the outset at the Stade Aime Giral, Perpignan took control of proceedings and put on a fine display of running rugby which would have sent warning shots across the continent.

In the glorious French sunshine Jerome Porical gave his side the perfect start, collecting his own kick through to touch down after three minutes.

The full-back was off target with the conversion and struggled with the boot, missing two further penalties for the hosts.

The combination of raw power up front and creativity in backs proved too much for the Scarlets on occasion, Henry Tuilagi benefiting from a sweeping attack to touch down for his side’s second try.

Another huge scrum from Perpignan gave Tuilagi the platform to link up with his backline and he fed scrum-half Florian Cazenave who created space out wide for Farid Sid who ran in to score.

Porical added the conversion and on the stroke of half-time Nicolas Laharrague added a penalty for a 22-0 score at the break.

The Scarlets needed to respond immediately after the break and that is exactly what they did.

Following the style of their hosts, the Welsh side hit hard through the midfield and then usef the slight of hand out wide to create space and Jonathan Davies crashed over after 45 minutes to give his side hope.

Just as the visitors started to play with belief the killer blow came from Cazenave. The snipping scrum-half who was at the heart of all the first half action touched down for the bonus-point score.

From a simple catch and drive 10 metres out the home pack rumbled their way forward and always looked in control, South African Gerrie Britz touching down for Perpignan’s fifth try.

Final Score Perpignan 37 (22) Scarlets 5 (0)

Scorers

Perpignan
Tries: Porical, Tuilagi, Sid, Cazenave, Britz
Penalties: Laharrague 2
Conversions: Porical 2, Laharrague

Scarlets
Tries: Davies

Referee: Dave Pearson (England)

Teams

Perpignan: J Porical, F Sid, D Marty, M Mermoz, J Candelon, N Laharrague, F Cazenave, P Freshwater, G Guirado, N Mas [capt], O Olibeau, G Vilaceca, D Chouly, B Guiry, H Tuilagi.

Replacements: M Tincu, K Pulu, B Bourrust, R Tchale Watchou, D Mele, G Britz, O Tonita, J Michel

Scarlets: R Priestland, M Stoddart, G Maule, J Davies, S Lamont, S Jones, T Knoyle, I Thomas, M Rees [capt], A Fenby, L Reed, J Fa’amatuainu, R McCusker, J Turnbull, D Lyons