Dragons — Scarlets: 38:26, United Rugby Championship

Dragons beat Scarlets 38 to 26 on Saturday at home in the United Rugby Championship. The result on 3rd October put the hosts firmly on track while extending the visitors' winless start to the season. By then the pattern was clear enough.

We had backed a home victory before the game, and here's the thing — the confidence was justified. Sixty-two percent was the figure we attached to it, and Dragons did what they needed to do. To be fair, Scarlets never really threatened.

The table now shows Dragons in fourth place with six points from two games, one win and one draw. Scarlets sit fourteenth with just a single point from two defeats. The gap between them was wider before kickoff and it widened further.

Scarlets have lost both matches so far, falling 15 to 21 away at Cardiff on 26th September and struggling elsewhere. They drew 35 to 35 with Dragons back in May, but this time they could not keep pace. Things came to a head when Dragons pulled away.

The hosts saw it out comfortably after taking control. Scarlets played the second half a man down on their chances, unable to find a rhythm or answer when Dragon attacks came.

The result leaves Dragons holding their own position in the table and Scarlets further from the playoff places. Six points versus one — the difference between a team that knows where it is and one that does not yet.