Saracens (7) 32
Tries: Penalty (2), Powell, Ratuvou
Cons: Ross (2), Farrell
Pens: Farrell (2)

Saracens produced a superb comeback to book their place in the EDF Energy Cup semi-finals - despite losing a thrilling final group game in Llanelli.

The two bonus points gained for scoring four tries and losing by seven points or less sent the English club through.

The Scarlets looked to be cruising as they opened up a 19-point lead as Garan Evans crossed for their fourth try.

But two tries - the final a second penalty try - and Andy Farrell's kicks closed the gap for Saracens to qualify.

Interview: Saracens captain Kevin Sorrell

Interview: Llanelli Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies

Scarlets had the benefit of a strong wind in the first-half at Stradey Park, which persuaded Jones to aim for goal with a penalty from inside his own half after just three minutes.

Length was no problem, but Stephen Jones' aim was slightly askew. The fly-half was on target twice inside the first quarter, though, to turn the Scarlets' early dominance into points.

The strength of the wind was underlined as Gordon Ross' first shot at goal was held up way short, barely going 15 metres through the air.

But the visitors slowly began to exert some pressure, and after a series of infringements in the ruck in side their own 22, Scarlets captain Simon Easterby was sent to the sin bin.

The Saracens' first penalty try came from the resulting penalty as home prop Deacon Manu was penalised for collapsing the scrum.

But the home side fought back in devastating style as a purple 20-minute patch either side of half-time yielded four tries - securing a bonus point.

A superb break from full-back Morgan Stoddard - who made his Wales debut last weekend - created the first try for lock Scott MacLeod.

Jones added the second try three minutes after the break, taking a short pass from Dwayne Peel to score.

The fly-half, who slotted over his third penalty with the final kick of the first half, added his second conversion, but the visitors found an immediate response as centre Adam Powell benefited from a huge overlap to touch down.

Johnathan Davies and Evans then scored unconverted tries within three minutes of each other to give the home side a 19-point cushion.

But the remarkable turnaround in the standard of attacking play continued as the Saracens backs combined wonderfully to send winger Kameli Ratuvou over for their third try barely three minutes later.

Jones landed a fourth penalty to take the score to 36-19, but another penalty try for a collapsed scrum - converted by Farrell - brought Saracens back to within 10 points as the match entered the final 10 minutes.

Farrell's penalty closed the gap to the seven-point margin which gave them a losing bonus point, and then another penalty with the last kick of the game made absolutely safe.

"We have got to take the positives out of that but unfortunately we conceded too many points again.

"In the end we let them back in the game and it is definitely frustrating we didn't win by more than seven when we were 33-14 up. We should have nailed them but we didn't do that."

"We didn't need to play helter-skelter catch-up rugby and once we started kicking to the corners and forced the Scarlets to play out of their 22, that's where the pressure came and we started to get on top in the last 20 minutes.

"Andy is a very cool-headed player. Gordon Ross and Glen Jackson are good players in their own right but we need to have options at 10 and it was good to see Andy have some time there.

"To get to the semi-finals is a huge bonus for the club.

Llanelli Scarlets: Stoddart; M. Jones, King, J. Davies, G. Evans; S. Jones, Peel; I. Thomas, Hayter, Manu, Eustace, MacLeod, Easterby (capt), G. Thomas, D. Jones.
Replacements Not Used: Broster, George, Cooper, Popham, Cattle, Priestlend, Brew.

Sin Bin: Easterby (31).

Saracens: Leonelli; Haughton, Sorrell, Powell, Ratuvou; Ross, Rauluni; Yates, Ongaro, Visagie, Ryder, Fullarton, Gustard, Seymour, Skirving.
Replacements: Thrower for Leonelli (53), Farrell for Ross (56), Kyriacou for Ongaro (63), Johnson for Visagie (56), Chesney for Gustard (49).
Not Used: Saull, Dickens.

Att: 6,625

Ref: Dave Pearson (Newcastle).