Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

That rounds off the first weekend of the United Rugby Championship and Cardiff are the Welsh winners, that after a creditable draw for Dragons at Benetton and bonus for Ospreys at Sharks.

The Blue and Blacks were Wales' top team last season and have made a strong start to their bid to repeat the trick.

Their driving line-out did the damage against Scarlets, while in Taine Basham they had a forward who carried hard, avoided first tackles and racked up the metres.

Cardiff will expect to go two from two when they host Zebre next weekend - that really should be a five-pointer - while Scarlets need to respond swiftly when they travel to Newport to face a determined Dragons side.

Nigel Davies' men cannot afford to be playing catch-up as they did in a torrid 2025-26.

All four Welsh sides got up and running with points this weekend but it's Cardiff that are the happiest after one round of a long season.

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Cardiff captain Liam Belcher speaking on S4C:

"It was a scrappy game from both teams, we were better once we sorted our discipline in the second half.

"There were a few opportunities in the 22 that we let ourselves down on, but this is not an easy place to come for the first game of the season, it's a Welsh derby, you take the four points all day.

"I'm proud of the boys and the effort they put in, there's a lot of things to work on but you'd rather do that after a win than a loss."

So just the one Welsh win this weekend and it goes the way of the Blue and Blacks.

Gareth Griffiths has summarised the first Welsh derby of the season. Read his match report here.

Cardiff flanker Taine Basham speaking on S4C:

"There is plenty to work on. They are never really entertaining games, these derbies.

"We wanted to express ourselves but it was a wet ground and we probably didn't put our best foot forward.

"It's the sign of a quality team to win in those tough conditions."

Rhys Priestland
Wales international fly-half on S4C

Teddy Williams looked strong tonight, Johan Mulder was really influential on the game as well.

Cardiff's bench was a lot stronger than Scarlets and that's what counted in the end.

Ken Owens
Former Wales hooker on S4C

In the second half, Cardiff were much more clinical and their experience off the bench really helped them close the game out.

Ian Gough
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

Scarlets were the better team for large parts of that game but they just couldn't get that scoreboard ticking over enough.

They could not defend that Cardiff driving lineout, three times they scored from it and that's the game.

Cardiff didn't play the better rugby but they have got a massive first win away from home.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Evan Lloyd's try proves to be the difference in Llanelli and Cardiff just had a bit too much knowhow at key times.

Scarlets seemed to run out of ideas as the game went on.

Big performance by the Wales international.

Taine Basham carried hard all night long and wins the player of the match medal for his efforts.

Another win in Llanelli for the Blue and Blacks.

Scrum reset with the clock on 79:02.

Cardiff need a strong shove and a big carry by Basham. Scarlets need a miracle turnover or scrum penalty.

Ian Gough
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

That's a huge turnover for Cardiff, just at the right time.

That's a killer moment for Scarlets, who have lost their shape as this game has gone on.

It's a fancy play off the scrum but Joe Hawkins knocks on when wrapping around.

Just over 90 seconds to play.

Another big moment.

Superb clearance kick by Ellis Bevan and Ellis Mee is unable to field it without going into touch.

Cardiff throw on halfway... but it's wonky.

This game remains in the balance - can Scarlets get Eddie James and Blair Murray involved off this scrum?

Big turnover by Evan Lloyd as Scarlets move into the 22 but Mulder fails to find touch.

Blair Murray gives Cardiff some problems with his fast feet and then Joe Hawkins opts to pin the visitors into their 22.

Just over four minutes to go, can Scarlets put the pressure on the Cardiff line-out?

Cardiff have a bout of possession but can't make a dint into the Scarlets defence.

Another good claim of a high ball by Blair Murray and Cardiff are then pinged at the breakdown.

Scarlets can push to get back into the lead.

Ian Gough
Former Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

That kick never looked like it had the legs.

That's a big let off for Scarlets.

Jarrod Evans lines it up from 15 metres in, 40 metres out.

The Wales fly-half pulls it. It was a similar position to his winner against Japan last November.

Another big moment. Cardiff win a scrum penalty and call for the kicking tee to go beyond a score.

Tricky kick but the right call IMO, despite their strong display with the driving line-out.

Nice praise from Ken there for a bright prospect.

Osian Williams has done well, although Scarlets have missed the bulk and heavy running of the injured Fletcher Anderson plus the big moments of Taine Plumtree.