We're not quite sure what Warren Gatland thought as he looked on at Scarlets' shock win at the RDS last night. On the one hand, some of his Welsh picks were outstanding, notably Liam Williams. On the other hand, Johnny Sexton had a poor night, while, most worrying to Gats will be the injuries: Jack McGrath was forced off after just ten minutes with an injury to his right arm. Speaking after the game, Leo Cullen admitted that McGrath would need an x-ray before the extent of the injury is known, which shrouds his participation in the tour to New Zealand.
Scarlets were outstanding last night, particularly in defence: they played the second-half with a player less yet scored a point more. The only score they did concede in that second half was a try that had its origin in error: Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias needlessly tossed a line-out in his own half to the tail, which was then intercepted and finished by Jack Conan.
Elias was playing as first-choice hooker Ken Owens missed the game through injury, having hurt his ankle in training this week. He will be assessed by Lions medical staff next week, but if he is ruled out of the tour, England captain Dylan Hartley will be favourite to join incumbents Jamie George and Rory Best on the plane to New Zealand.
Elsewhere, the injury that forced Tadgh Furlong off last night is not going to threaten his involvement in the tour, while the calf strain that forced Sean O'Brien out of last night's game is not serious, either.
