EXETER Chiefs were given a timely reality check ahead of the new season as Scarlets ran in six tries to claim a 36-15 victory at Sandy Park.

The beaten Gallagher Premiership finalists were playing their first game of the new campaign, but despite an impressive opening spell, were ultimately blown away by their United Rugby Championship visitors.

Rob Baxter used the fixture to give almost his entire squad a run-out, fielding completely different XVs in each half as he looked to build match fitness ahead of this Saturday’s PREM Rugby Cup clash with Bristol Bears.

The Chiefs started at a furious pace and immediately dominated the forward battle. Their early pressure paid off when Scarlets debutant Issac Murray-Macgregor was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on inside the opening 10 minutes.

Chiefs went to the corner and unleashed their driving maul, with local youngster Louie Gulley powering over for the opening try.

And Gulley was at it again soon afterwards. Exeter once more turned to their powerful set-piece and the hooker burst from the back of another rolling maul to smash his way over for his second try.

However, the Welshmen soon hit back, Macs Page exploited an overlap to slice through the home defence on the half-hour mark, before Joe Roberts powered for a second score. Gabe McDonald added conversions to both scores to give his side a 14-10 lead.

McDonald crossed in the 52nd minute before Page and Roberts both completed their braces as the visitors tore into the Chiefs defence.

Flanker Dan Davis then finished off another powerful driving maul to put Scarlets 36-10 ahead.

The Chiefs refused to fold and eventually had the final say. With five minutes remaining, Australian hooker Julian Heaven took control at the back of another rolling maul and plunged over for Exeter’s third try of the afternoon.