In front of their new director of coaching Scott Johnson the Ospreys came back from 19-11 down after an hour to score 17 unanswered points, including tries for Shane Williams and Lee Byrne, to keep their Magners title hopes intact.

The Ospreys were helped that they could unload a replacements bench including five internationals, which in the end was the difference between the sides.

The Scarlets’ cause was not helped that they were forced into some late changes, most significantly, captain for the day Stephen Jones, who was a late withdrawal because of a hamstring injury.