Only a victory for Castres with the attacking bonus on the ground for Harlequins next weekend, combined with a dry setback for Christophe Urios' men in Leicester, could deprive them of qualification.

The objective against the Welsh of Llanelli, in obvious lack of competition, was simple on this Sunday: to win and if possible with the way.

Mission accomplished and in what way for the leader of the Top 14 with seven tries, a guaranteed bonus from the 47th minute, and the hatching of yet another nugget for French rugby, the back Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 19 years old, who, for his first pro tenure, won a hat-trick and the title of best player of the match.

The back of Bordeaux-Bègles, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, scores one of three tries at home against the Scarlets of Llanelli, during the 3rd day of the European Cup, on January 16, 2022 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas ROMAN PERROCHEAU AFP

It's not easy to see when you start a match without a professional number 9.

But the attendant of the day at the post, winger Santiago Cordero, assured perfectly.

The only downside is the new injury to Matthieu Jalibert, who came out touching his thigh three weeks before the Six Nations Tournament.

In this meeting, everything was played in ten dizzying minutes in the middle of the first act with three tries as beautiful as each other to mark the Scarlets.

The latter, players as announced but betrayed as soon as the Girondin rhythm rose, cracked as they began to match the UBB.

All it took was an acceleration on the side of Matthieu Jalibert, a one-two with Cordero followed by an inside pass from the international opener to Cameron Woki to open hostilities (21).

Cordero took the initiative on the second, serving up the young fullback Louis Bielle-Biarrey who went under the poles (26).

The back of Bordeaux-Bègles, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, scores one of three tries at home against the Scarlets of Llanelli, during the 3rd day of the European Cup, on January 16, 2022 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas ROMAN PERROCHEAU AFP

Euphoric, +LBB+ intercalated in the line and served in a corner Geoffrey Cros, who played his vis-à-vis for the third try of the day (21-0, 30).

After the break, he continued his work on a tightrope to reward an almost upright phase of his team (47), Cordero restarted like butter to send Maxime Lamothe behind the line (58), Nans Ducuing was well inspired to follow a soaring Bastien Vergnes (64) and the young hero of the day closed the proceedings after a devastating scrum (74).

The back of Bordeaux-Bègles, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, escapes to score one of three tries at home against the Llanelli Scarlets, during the 3rd day of the European Cup, January 16, 2022 at the Stade Chaban-Delmas ROMAIN PERROCHEAU AFP

Ideal sparring partners, the Welsh did not give up offensively and were rewarded with two tries from Liam Williams admirably served at the foot by his opener (52) and Gareth Davies on counter (62).

© 2022 AFP