LONDON — Scarlets beat their Welsh rivals the Ospreys by a record 44-0 to move into second place in Conference B of the Pro14 on Thursday.

The home crowd had plenty to enjoy on Boxing Day as wings Steffan Evans and Ryan Conbeer scored two tries apiece, with Kieran Hardy and Josh Macleod also crossing as the Scarlets condemned the Ospreys to their 10th consecutive defeat.

Meanwhile Wales international Leigh Halfpenny and Angus O'Brien also kicked 14 points between them.

The Ospreys suffered an early setback when Wales center Scott Williams left the field after taking a blow to the head and their day went from bad to worse when flanker Aaron Shingler, who starred for Wales at the World Cup, was sent clear before drawing his man to send Evans in at the corner with Halfpenny converting.

From then on it was one-way traffic, with the Scarlets securing the try bonus-point on the hour mark when a cross-kick from O'Brien sent in Evans at the corner.

Macleod wrapped things up with Scarlets' sixth try to set the seal on a good day for the Llanelli club, who earlier announced that Wales fullback Liam Williams , the British and Irish Lions international, would be returning from English and European champions Saracens in time for next season.

Thursday's other Welsh derby was a far close affair, with Cardiff Blues edging out the Dragons 16-12 at a sold-out Arms Park.

The Blues were outscored by two tries to one but two penalties and a conversion from Jarrod Evans and a penalty from Jason Tovey were enough to give the home side a four-point win.

Shane Lewis-Hughes scored Cardiff's only try, with Taine Basham and Matthew Screech responding with tries for Dragons and Sam Davies kicking a conversion.— AFP