Scarlets belong among Europe's elite - Peel

European Champions Cup: Bordeaux Begles v Scarlets

Venue: Stade Chaban-Delmas Date: Saturday, 13 December Kick-off: 17:30 GMT

Head coach Dwayne Peel says Scarlets' gutsy display in defeat to Bristol Bears shows they belong in Europe's top competition.

The Welsh region lost by the narrowest of margins, going down 17-16 in their first Champions Cup game in three years, with Louis Rees-Zammit's try proving the difference for the visitors.

"I'd hope the 7,000 people [at Parc y Scarlets] go away thinking that they saw their team put up a massive fight, that's what I saw," said Peel.

"I was really proud of the effort we put into the game. It was a one-point margin in the top tier of European rugby, that's the level.

"Put performances like that together and we can see that we belong here."

Scarlets were in the same pool at Bristol the last time they were in the Champions Cup.

Pat Lam's side ran in eight tries on their last visit to Llanelli in January 2022 as they dumped Scarlets out of Europe, but Saturday proved a much closer affair.

Scarlets were in the contest throughout, but had two tries ruled out and coughed up needless penalties.

"It was a real scrap of a game," said Peel.

"Effort-wise was really good but we were not as clinical in the last period, there was a couple of set-piece opportunities which we didn't nail and a pretty soft try for them off the scrum as well.

"It's fine margins, but that's this level of rugby."

After a late charge into last season's United Rugby Championship (URC) play-offs, Scarlets have endured a miserable start to this campaign with defeats to Munster, Stormers, Lions and Sharks.

But an impressive victory over Glasgow and the return to fitness of key players such as Josh Macleod, Ryan Elias and Max Douglas could prove to be a turning point.

"I genuinely believe that we've taken steps forward over the last two games," said Peel.

"In the last month we've worked hard and a one-point game could have gone either way, we could easily have been sitting in here celebrating.

"We're getting better undoubtedly.

"We were here to compete and if we keep doing that we're putting ourselves in with a chance, that's what the game is all about really."

Scarlets will need to compete well next weekend as they travel to France to take on reigning European champions Bordeaux-Begles, before three festive URC derbies.