British and Irish Lions

Lions fly-half Stephen Jones was the match-winner for Llanelli Scarlets as they maintained their excellent start to the Magners League season with a thrilling Welsh derby success over Newport Gwent Dragons on Wednesday night.

The 2005 tourist who featured in all three Tests for the Lions against the All Blacks three years ago, scored 17 points including a last-gasp penalty to secure the Scarlets' second successive win on the road.

Nigel Davies' men began their campaign with victory at Ulster and produced a storming second-half comeback to sink the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

The Dragons looked set for their first win of the season following first-half tries from Richard Fussell, Tom Willis and Lewis Evans.

They led 25-6 at the break but the Scarlets rallied through tries from Martin Roberts and Nathan Brew before Jones booted home the late winner.

Wales coach Warren Gatland was in attendance as a host of his Grand Slam winners were in action and he will have been impressed with first-choice fly-half Jones' nerve late on.

Jones, who skippered the Scarlets in the absence of fellow Lion Simon Easterby, will be hoping his impressive form continues throughout teh season as he looks to secure his place on a second successive Lions tour.

Scorers

Dragons
Tries: Fussell, Willis, Evans
Cons: Arlidge (2)
Pens: Arlidge (2)

Scarlets
Tries: Roberts, Brew
Cons: S Jones
Pens: S Jones (5)

Teams

Dragons: P Dollman (S Connor 33); T Selley, R Sidey, M Stcherbina, R Fussell; J Arlidge, W Evans (R Lewis 68); A Black (H Gustafson 58), T Willis (capt), R Thomas (L Harrison 73), A Jones (G Webb 70), L Charteris, J Bearman, L Evans, R Parks
Unused replacements: J Ringer, G Wyatt

Yellow Card: Selley 53

Scarlets: M Stoddart; D Daniel (N Brew 50), R Higgitt, G Evans, D James; S Jones (capt), S Martens (M Roberts 52); I Thomas, M Rees, K Meeuws (D Manu 67), L Reed (S MacLeod 52), V Cooper, D Jones (S Easterby 52), D Lyons, G Thomas
Unused replacements: K Owens, C Thomas.

Attendance: 5,057

Michael Hooper believes the British & Irish Lions' defeat to the Brumbies has given the Qantas Wallabies a boost ahead of Saturday's first Test in Brisbane.

Less than 24 hours after losing their unbeaten record in Canberra, the British & Irish Lions were given a huge boost on arrival in Brisbane when Wales wing George North was declared fit to play in the first Test on Saturday.