Scarlets made two changes, with Lloyd replacing Wales team-mate Sam Costelow and a return for Alex Craig, who has made the second most tackles in the entire URC.

However the fit-again lock could not prevent Zebre captain Licata opening the scoring inside four minutes.

Zebre will have targeted this game against fellow strugglers to end their run of 11 league defeats in a row and dominated the opening stages.

But Scarlets hit back as Carwyn Tuipulotu, Johnny Williams, Kemsley Mathias and Taine Plumtree all went close before Davies' short pass opened space for Elias to cross.

Plumtree's outrageous one-handed offload to Lewis set up Davies for his first try as Scarlets found their rhythm.

Giovanni Montemauri nudged Zebre ahead with two penalties, but his casual pass was picked off by Davies who galloped half the pitch for his second.

Quick hands by Eddie James sent Lewis scampering over to score for the second game in a row and clinch a bonus point less than three minutes into the second half.

Scarlets looked in control at 26-13, but Davies' scuffed kick gifted Zebre a brief route back as prop Muhamed Hasa barged over in the corner.

But the visitors defied their recent poor form of four losses in a row by keeping their composure with an assured display.

Dan Davies' burst saw Zebre replacement scrum-half Thomas Dominguez shown a yellow card and Sam Costelow added points with the boot to ease Scarlets to victory.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: "We're absolutely delighted with the win. We dominated possession and took our chances when we go into their half.

"I felt at times we let them back in it but we took back control of the game and scored some good tries.

"They came after us but credit to the lads, we stuck at it, played in the right areas and got the rewards."

Zebre assistant coach Richard Hodges said: "Losing two key members of our backline so early really impacted us.

"We showed plenty of fight, but we probably made twice as many tackles as Scarlets did and that took its toll.

"Scarlets have good players and their kicking game in the second half with Sam Costelow put us in all sorts of areas where we didn't want to be. They deserved the win."