Cardiff beat Scarlets 21-15 as Evan Lloyd settles Welsh derby

Cardiff beat Scarlets 21-15 in Llanelli on Saturday to win the season's first Welsh derby in the United Rugby Championship. According to BBC Sport's match report, Dan Thomas, Taine Basham and replacement hooker Evan Lloyd scored from driving line-outs, with Basham named player of the match.

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Joe Roberts and Blair Murray supplied Scarlets' first-half tries, but Cardiff led 14-12 at the interval. Roberts finished a move involving Dane Blacker and Sam Lousi, while Eddie James created the opening for Murray. A Joe Hawkins penalty after the break then put the home side back in front.

Lloyd's try restored Cardiff's advantage after a Murray kick was ruled out on the full, giving the visitors attacking territory. Jarrod Evans converted to make it 21-15, although he subsequently missed a long-range penalty. BBC Sport reported that Lloyd also made an important late turnover to stop a Scarlets attack after another James break, helping Cardiff protect their six-point lead.

The victory came with new personnel in Cardiff's starting side. The club's team announcement had identified Scott Sio and Le Roux Malan as competitive debutants, with Sio arriving from Exeter during the summer. Sio joined captain Liam Belcher and former Scarlets prop Javan Sebastian in the front row, while Malan partnered Ben Thomas in the centres.

Evans' contribution also followed a summer return to Cardiff after three seasons at Harlequins. In its selection announcement, Cardiff noted that his previous appearance for the club had come against Ospreys in 2023, his 126th first-team outing. The replacements selected for the derby included six capped Wales internationals, giving the visitors considerable experience beyond their starting fifteen.

The result continued a recent pattern of away victories in this fixture. Cardiff's official records list a 28-24 success at Parc y Scarlets in the previous campaign and a 21-17 Scarlets win at Cardiff Arms Park. Before Saturday's opener, head coach Corniel van Zyl had recalled those two close contests and anticipated another demanding derby on Scarlets' home ground.