Northampton sealed victory over Scarlets with an impressive defensive display which saw the Welsh side eliminated from the tournament and Northampton replace them in Second place in Pool 1. The home side and crowd were desperate for a try which would’ve seen Scarlets seal victory and stay in the tournament. But with a 90 metre run Rhodri Williams instead wrapped the game up for Northampton after Ben Foden claimed the ball from a loose pass.
In the reverse fixture, at Northampton’s Flanklin’s Gardens Scarlets were gifted four tries and a bonus point. This time though, Saints were far tighter in defence with coach Jim Mallinder praising their “tremendous defensive effort”. The poor defensive display in the home fixture acted as a motivation according to Malinder, saying they discussed the performance in the week leading up to the game and were determined to not allow for a repeat of that disappointing display.
Saints did however start the game by gifting the Scarlets further opportunities to make early inroads. Tom May was sin binned for a moment of stupidity, throwing the ball into Gareth Davies face. Referee, Alain Rolland happily took the opportunity to send May to the sin bin for 10 minutes. Rolland himself was on his first visit to Wales since his decision to send the Welsh captain Sam Warburton off in the World Cup Semi Final and received the expected reception from the passionate South Wales crowd. He was roundly booed and remains a majorly unpopular figure in Wales.
Rolland made several strange decisions throughout the first half and as a result Northampton trailed 14-6 at the break. A strong second half though, saw the Saints completely turn the game around. A try from Tonga’uiha and three kicks from Myler gave Saints a lead before the barrage began. Brave defence and the last minute try from Rhodri Williams secured the result and put Saints in position to challenge for second place in the pool and a spot in the Challenge Cup quarter finals.