Investec Champions Cup
Northampton (19) 43
Tries: Todaro 3, Sleightholme, Wright, Chick Cons: Belleau 5 Pen: Belleau
Scarlets (14) 28
Tries: Elias, Hughes, Costelow, Davies Cons: Costelow 4
In a spirited performance against the 2025 runners-up, a first-half hat-trick of tries from exciting 19-year-old Italian wing Edoardo Todaro would be the catalyst for the West Wallians loss, despite early scores from hooker Ryan Elias and scrum-half Archie Hughes.
The Scarlets, who needed maximum points to progress, or a bonus point to qualify for the Challenge Cup knockout phase, would not be able to cope with the power of the home side despite a gutsy performance.
Wing Ollie Sleightholme evading a challenge to dot down before Craig Wright’s line-out drive put daylight on the scoreboard after the restart.
Returning Wales fly-half Sam Costelow converted his own try and set up full back Jac Davies to set up a grandstand finish.
But it would be an unhappy first game for returning boss Davies whose side finish bottom of Pool 4, with flanker Callum Chick adding gloss to the scoreline with the Llanelli-based club chasing a crucial fourth try.
The bonus-point victory means Northampton finish the group campaign in second place, four points adrift of top side and defending champions Bordeaux, whilst Scarlets lie bottom of the Pool.
Scarlets XV:
15 Jac Davies, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Archie Hughes, 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Max Douglas, 5 Jake Ball, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 8 Fletcher Anderson.
Replacements:
16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Macs Page, 23 Tomi Lewis.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
