With a devastating six-try loss in Clermont, Scarlets are expected to exit the Challenge Cup after Wales center Johnny Williams was sent off.
Only one group game remained for Dwayne Peel’s team to be eliminated from Europe.
In addition to the 18 points from France fly-half Anthony Belleau and the additional tries from Giorgi Beria and Joris Jurand, Clermont wing Alivereti Raka scored twice.
Steff Evans and Kieran Hardy’s late tries for the Scarlets answered.
Williams might miss the Six Nations opener after receiving a red card in the 26th minute for colliding with Julien Heriteau’s head during a tackle attempt.
On Tuesday, January 16, Wales’ head coach Warren Gatland will announce his team. The Scarlets’ final game before Wales’ first encounter with Scotland.
Fly-half for Wales Due to a head injury, Sam Costelow had to leave the game early in the second half. Josh Macleod, the flanker, captain, and potential Six Nations player, also hobbled off.
Clermont’s victory gave the French team hope for a spot in the round of sixteen, while Scarlets’ terrible European season continued as they are currently bottom of Pool 3 with no points.
This was their third straight loss after losing 34-16 away from home to Georgian side Black Lion and losing 23-7 at home to them.
This season, Peel’s team has only won once, in a league double against Cardiff during the United Rugby Championship (URC). The team has lost ten of its twelve games across all competitions. The Scarlets will play Edinburgh at home on Friday to wrap off their Challenge Cup season.
To shake things up, Peel started scrum-half Archie Hughes for the first time for the Scarlets, benching Gareth Davies and starting fellow Wales international Hardy in his place.
Hughes was one of three players from the Dragons’ losing team to return from injury, along with lock Jac Price beginning.
Tom Rogers of the Scarlets applied early pressure as he stopped short of the line. Davis’s fumble on his line helped the visitors mount a comeback by Clermont, and after a blistering break by home hooker Etienne Fourcade, another attack was thwarted.
