Scarlets earned a first competitive win under head coach Dwayne Peel after taming the Lions in Llanelli.

Fly-half Sam Costelow enjoyed a flawless night with the boot with a 16 point haul.

A second-half Ruben Schoeman try attempted to spark a comeback by the South African visitors, but Scarlets finished with a flourish.

There were almost 8,000 fans at Parc y Scarlets for the first home game of the season, with NHS workers given free tickets. There was also a moment of silence for past players who had died since the start of the pandemic, including JJ Williams.

Scarlets enjoyed an early period of pressure camped on the Lions' five-metre line and were rewarded when Evans crashed over from close range. Costelow, preferred at fly-half to Dan Jones this week, added the extras.

Lions responded with their own spell of attack, but struggled to find the form which saw them score 35 unanswered points in the first half against Zebre last weekend. They instead settled for a long-range penalty from fly-half Jordan Hendrikse to get on the board.

Scarlets, who themselves lacked a clinical edge to see off Edinburgh in the opening round, looked far more fluent at home.

They extended their lead after great hands saw the ball shipped across field to put flying wing Rogers over in the corner, under the watchful eye of Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.

Costelow added the difficult touchline conversion before exchanging penalties with Hendrikse before the break.

Lions were much improved in the second half and despite a sustained defensive effort from the home side, their second row Schoeman bundled over for a try on the hour mark to bring the game back to within a score.

Scarlets settled after multiple changes, with two more Costelow penalties reasserting their advantage and late tries from Rogers and Evans ensured they finished with a bonus point.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said:

"Obviously delighted with the win and firstly credit to the defence, I thought it was a big defensive effort and we were under pressure for a lot of the game.

"We got some nice tries as well, probably left a few out there if I'm perfectly honest as we turned the ball over a few times in the 22, but pleased with the result.

"It was great with a decent crowd here tonight and the boys loved that, having a crowd back. It was a good occasion, a good night, thankful for the support and pleased for the boys."

Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl; Tom Rogers, Jonathan Davies (capt), Scott Williams, Steff Evans; Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy; Rob Evans, Ryan Elias, WillGriff John, Jac Price, Tom Price, Blade Thomson, Dan Davis, Sione Kalamafoni.

Replacements: Marc Jones, Phil Price, Samson Lee, Morgan Jones, Shaun Evans, Dane Blacker, Dan Jones, Ioan Nicholas.

Lions: EW Viljoen; Jamba Ulengo, Wandisile Simelane, Burger Odendaal (capt), Rabz Maxwane; Jordan Hendrikse, Andre Warner; Ruan Dreyer, Jaco Visagie, Carlu Sadie, Ruben Schoeman, Pieter Jansen Van Vuren, Jaco Kriel, Vincent Tshituka, Francke Horn.

Replacements: PJ Botha, Sti Sithole, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Reinhard Nothnagel, Sibusiso Sangweni, Morne van den Berg, Eddie Fouch, Divan Rossouw.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

Assistants: Elgan Williams & Tom Spurrier (WRU)

TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)