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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
Impressive teenager Edoardo Todaro scored a first-half hat-trick to help seal Northampton Saints a home last-16 tie in the Investec Champions Cup and eliminate Scarlets.
The 19-year-old, who was capped by Italy in November, showed off his sharp finishing skills for all three tries in front of a home crowd.
Scarlets, who needed a bonus-point win to process to the last 16, had led 14-7 after scores by Ryan Elias and Archie Hughes.
But the hosts took control, with Ollie Sleightholme and Craig Wright bagging second-half tries.
Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow converted his own try and set up Jac Davies to set up a grandstand finish.
But Phil Dowson’s side, who lost in the final last season to Bordeaux, scored the final try through Callum Chick.
Bristol Bears’ 27-15 defeat by Bordeaux means Northampton finish second in Pool 4.
The Welsh side, who are bottom of the United Rugby Championship, continue their poor season by finishing last in Pool 4 to miss out on a Challenge Cup spot.
They will rue a home loss against Pau and a narrow one-point defeat by Bristol earlier in the competition.
Despite the defeat it was an improved Scarlets performance compared with recent results, with the region having this week installed Nigel Davies as interim director of rugby to work alongside head coach Dwayne Peel.
Todaro halts fast Scarlets start
Pau’s loss to South African side Bulls on Friday left Scarlets needing a bonus-point win to progress to the knockouts.
The need for tries early was clear as Taine Plumtree charged down Alex Mitchell’s box-kick for Elias to reward a fast start by the visitors.
Despite Todaro’s response Scarlets continued to play with confidence, releasing Ellis Mee up the wing before he fended off Alex Mitchell and set up Hughes.
But nifty footwork saw electric wing Todaro fire back again, diving over in the corner.
Despite being schooled in England, Todaro was born in Italy and played for their Under-20 side last season.
A Saints debut followed in September, with four tries in his first five Prem games resulting in his senior Italy debut against Chile.
Having also played last season at centre and full-back, Todaro is deceptively strong and powerful for his size.
He showed great work-rate to get on the end of James Ramm’s offload to get a deserved hat-trick score just before the interval.
Less action came Todaro’s way in the second half but he did pinch the ball late in the game, which led to Anthony Belleau’s late penalty.
Northampton will fancy their chances in the knockouts, with their only defeat in Europe coming last weekend at Bordeaux.
‘I don’t mind playing on the wing’
Player of the match Todaro, speaking to Premier Sports: “I have enjoyed every minute of this season and every opportunity I get.
“I am just glad to be here and I have a couple of Italian mates.
“I don’t mind playing on the wing as I like the ball in my hands and I enjoy beating defenders.”
Line-ups
Northampton: Ramm; Todaro, Freeman, Dingwall (capt), Sleightholme; Belleau, Mitchell; Iyogun, Smith, Davison, Munga, Van der Mescht, Kemeny, Graham, Pollock.
Replacements: Wright, Fischetti, Millar-Mills, Lockett, Chick, McParland, Pater, Hendy.
Scarlets: J Davies; Mee, James, Hawkins, Murray; Costelow, Hughes; Mathias, Elias, Thomas, Douglas, Ball, Plumtree, Macleod (capt), Anderson.
Replacements: Van der Merwe, Hepburn, O’Connor, Taylor, Davis, G Davies, Page, Lewis.
Sin-bin: Mathias (35 mins)
Match officials
Referee: Kevin Bralley (Fra)
Assistant referees: Vincent Blasco Baque (Fra), Flavien Hourquet (Fra)
TMO: Julien Castaignede (Fra)
