Tries from Toa Halafihi, Luca Sperandio and Federico Ruzza plus 10 points from the boot of Ian McKinley was enough to get Benetton over the line. The Scarlets scored three tries of their own with Johnny McNicholl crossing twice along with Kieran Hardy while Dan Jones and Rhys Patchell kicked four points.

The visitors opened the scoring when outside half Jones got on the outside of the Benetton defence before releasing Ioan Nicholas who put Hardy over. But the Italian side proceeded to lay siege to the Scarlets line with Federico Ruzza and Irne Herbst brought down just short.

But the ball was recycled for powerful No 8 Halafihi to smash his way over the whitewash. The Scarlets hit straight back when Wales wing Steff Evans opened up the Benetton defence like a hot knife through butter to put McNicholl over meaning the visitors led 12-7 at the break.

Benetton took the initiative in the early stages of the second-half with Sperandio crossing after a terrific surge forward by Iliesa Ratuva. Last season's beaten finalists then scored a real contender for the try of the season award. With the referee playing advantage the Scarlets launched an attack deep in their own 22.

The ball was swung to Samoa international Kieron Fonotia who ghosted past four defenders into the Benetton half before offloading to McNicholl who touched down for his second try. But Benetton's heavy pack began to take its toll on the Scarlets and the Italian's retook the lead with Ruzza scoring at the far right-hand corner courtesy of a well-timed cross kick from McKinley.

Scarlets hooker Marc Jones gave them a mountain to climb when he was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle and Benetton held on for a well-deserved win.