Wales stars combine for superb length-of-field try as match on knife-edge
Not even Jordie Barrett could catch Blair Murray as the Scarlets man raced away to score at the Aviva Stadium
This was the moment Ellis Mee launched Scarlets' attack.
(Image: BBC )
Wales internationals Ellis Mee and Blair Murray combined for a superb length-of-the-field try against Leinster, using remarkable footballing skill and speed to score.
The Scarlets duo were lining up against the Dublin province in the quarter-finals of the United Rugby Championship, with the match being held at the Aviva Stadium.
And despite being huge underdogs against the league-topping Irish heavyweights, Scarlets matched their opponents in the first half, going into the sheds at half-time just one point behind them.
The try that closed the gap for Scarlets came just shy of the whistle, with Leinster initially deep inside Welsh territory. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Deciding to spread it wide, Leinster fluffed their lines, with a bouncing ball the result of their error.
Winger Mee spotted the danger and thumped the ball towards up field.
Four players surged after the ball - Mee, Murray, Jordie Barrett and Sam Prendergast.
Another kick forward from Mee into empty territory saw Murray stick on the afterburners and squeeze to the front of the pack.
With Barrett at his heels, Murray used exemplary footballing skill to touch the ball twice towards the try line, and dotting down to complete a superb score.
You can watch the clip below.
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The drama wasn't over just yet, with the TMO wanting to check the grounding of the ball even after Sam Costelow's conversion was taken. Luckily for the Scarlets, the try was good. You can follow live updates here.
Leinster named a star-studded side to face the west Walians, with the likes of Barrett and RG Snyman in the matchday 23.
A total of 12 Leinster players have been selected to face Australia for the British and Irish Lions this summer, and Scarlets were going up against many of these stars, but held their own in the opening 40 minutes.
Try-scorer Murray had been tipped as a potential Lions bolter, and had he done so, he would have been the only Scarlet in the touring squad.
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While he may have missed his chance for now, injuries happen on tour and he may be called upon later down the line.
The New Zealand-born back three player has been a breath of fresh air in a bleak period for Welsh rugby, with some solid performances in the Six Nations.
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