BATH boss Todd Blackadder hailed an "outstanding" match-winning performance by Rhys Priestland after the Wales international starred at a rainswept Parc-y-Scarlets.

Bath's 18-13 victory over Priestland's former team the Scarlets made it two European Champions Cup wins from two.

And with Priestland no longer requiring a wild-card selection to play Test rugby after the Welsh Rugby Union this week changed its national player selection policy, he could easily find himself back in the Wales picture.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland names his autumn Test squad early next week, and 48-cap Priestland, who has not started a Test for his country since the 2015 World Cup, appears on course for a recall.

Gatland and his Wales assistant Rob Howley looked on as Priestland kicked six penalties from seven attempts and delivered an assured tactical display.

"Rhys is having an outstanding season," rugby director Blackadder said. "He looks comfortable, and I thought he was outstanding tonight, not only his goalkicking, his kicking in general and his defence.

"He took control of the game - everything you would expect from a really good 10.

"It (Wales selection) is up to Warrren Gatland and his team. Rhys is doing everything he can, and the only thing he can control is his performance. He is performing really well.

"He has grown this year. The game-plan suits Rhys, and I think he has really stepped up as a leader.

"He has played a lot of rugby, he has played on the international stage, and it is just good to see players keep developing and getting better.

"He is playing some fantastic rugby, and I am just so pleased for him. He is taking every opportunity he can to impress."

Despite Steff Evans, who is favourite to take over from an injured George North in Wales' autumn Tests, scoring a brilliant first-half try, the Scarlets suffered a second European defeat five days after being beaten narrowly by Toulon.

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny added two penalties and a conversion, but the Scarlets are now up against it in terms of potential quarter-final qualification from Pool Five, while Bath can build towards December home and away appointments with Toulon in confident mood.

Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac echoed Blackadder's sentiments in terms of Priestland's performance.

"He kicked very well off the tee," Pivac said. "He deserved his man-of-the-match award. He played very well in the conditions.

"For us, the assessment is one of disappointment. We knew how important that game was.

"Our game-management let us down in the first half, and I thought they used the ball very well in the conditions, built some pressure and took their scoring opportunities.

"We couldn't argue on the day. They were probably the better side.

"We are probably needing to win the the remainder of our games, and maybe something going our way. It is certainly not the position we wanted to be in.

"Home games are a must (win) in this competition, and now we have got to pick up a big game away from home and reverse that result against Bath next time round.

"It's not over. Anything can happen. We expected to go out there, play a little bit better than we did and get a result, and didn't. That can happen."