Stephen Jones' 63rd-minute penalty proved decisive in Brive

Stephen Jones believes the Scarlets have revived their Heineken Cup pedigree despite not making the knock-out phase this season.

Jones kicked the 63rd-minute penalty that ensured a double against Brive to bring four wins in six Pool Six games.

Jones said: "It's been a tough couple of years in Europe, especially when we lost all six games in a season.

"But we've bounced back to win four games this time and win away in England and France."

In the process the Scarlets registered only the seventh Welsh win in European competition.

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The win takes them into the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

But Jones says the Scarlets can already look back on an improved showing in Europe, having won at London Irish and in Brive this season.

Their downfall came against Leinster in back-to-back 39-7 and 36-13 defeats in December.

But they came back from 22-10 down to beat London Irish 31-22 last weekend and completed similar heroics in Brive after falling 10-0 down.

Jones, who kicked 10 points, said of that latest triumph: "It wasn't pretty at times but we stuck in there and showed great character.

"It was a great effort from such a young squad.

"Everyone worked really hard in defence, especially when we went down to 14 men for 20 minutes.

"Brive are a very dangerous side with a big squad and we knew it would be a big ask to come here - we're delighted to get the win."

We're disappointed to lose but the Scarlets have a very good group of young players coming through Brive's skipper and ex-Scarlet Alix Popham

Brive surged into a 10-0 lead before tries from Damien Welch and Morgan Stoddart put the Scarlets in front.

Ronnie Cooke crossed for the French club to tie the scores at 17-17 before Jones had the final say with a long-range penalty to pass 800 points in the Heineken Cup and secure a sweet success.

Jones added: "It's been a learning curve for the young lads but we're making progress."

Brive finished winless and skipper Alix Popham rued missed opportunities at Stade Municipal.

The ex-Scarlet back-row said: "We had chances to be further ahead in the first half.

"We turned down kicks in front of goal as we wanted to go for tries.

"We could not get any further in this competition. It was a quick game and both sides like to play rugby.

"We're disappointed to lose but the Scarlets have a very good group of young players coming through."

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