In the encounter with Cardiff Rugby, the youthful Scarlets fly-half Ioan Lloyd captivated spectators with an outstanding display, ultimately leading his team to a 29-23 bonus point victory at the Arms Park.
In this highly anticipated derby, Lloyd showcased his exceptional playmaking abilities, injecting dynamism into the back line with precise distribution and demonstrating remarkable agility as he confidently faced defenders.
Following the enthralling match, during which the Scarlets rallied from an early 14-0 deficit, the 22-year-old expressed his pride in the collective effort of the team, stating, “It was a massive effort from the boys. Our biggest theme was getting out there and working for your brothers and we did that. Cardiff are a hell of a team. They came out firing and we went two tries down. Credit to all the boys for getting up from there. It’s been a tough start to the season, but hopefully we can build some momentum now going into this next block of games.”
Dwayne Peel, the coach of the Scarlets, was effusive in his praise for Lloyd, describing him as “outstanding” and “electric in attack.” Peel emphasized the young player’s star quality, declaring, “He’s box office and he lit up that game. People coming to watch that match – either Scarlets or Cardiff fans – will have thought ‘Bloody hell, he’s good’. He’s growing all the time as a 10 and I thought he was excellent. That was his best performance for us. He is such a threat with ball in hand.”
Peel’s admiration for Lloyd’s ability to keep spectators on the edge of their seats was evident as he described the experience of watching the game unfold, stating, “You have your heart in your mouth sometimes when you see him running from behind your own sticks in a derby, but that’s great. As a coach, you are half watching the game with your hands on your head because you don’t know what he’s going to do next, but then the other half you are celebrating what he’s doing.”
Lloyd’s dazzling performance epitomized the immense potential of the young fly-half as a game-changer, and his standout display undoubtedly played a pivotal role in securing the Scarlets’ victory over Cardiff Rugby.
As the team looks ahead to the upcoming matches, Lloyd’s remarkable skills and unwavering commitment to excellence hold the promise of a bright and exciting future for both himself and the Scarlets.