Northampton edge Scarlets in Champions Cup clash

Hadleigh Parkes of Scarlets is tackled by Tom Wood

Northampton Saints survived two sin-binnings to edge Scarlets 15-11 in their European Rugby Champions Cup clash at Franklin's Gardens.

Led by the brilliant Tom Wood, and with a stellar performance from full-back Ben Foden, Saints opened brightly with Ken Pisi touching down in the first quarter. 

But if the tone was set early, it soon faltered and indiscipline cost them a try that would have topped any end of season highlights' reel.

In difficult conditions, Saints executed a stunning length of the pitch effort full of vision and brilliant support play.

Ken Pisi made the initial break and Foden, George North and Luther Burrell were all involved before Burrell crossed in the corner. 

Gareth Davies of Scarlets cuts through the Northampton defence to score his team's opening try

But disappointingly the score was called back after the video referee ruled that George North stamped on 
Michael Tagicakibau and a 12-3 lead was reversed back to seven. 

This allowed Steven Shingler to kick Scarlets back into the contest and against a scrum that was creaking, the visitors trailed by just one point at the break. 

Scarlets started the second half brightly and their ambition was rewarded when Aled Thomas carried a Lee Dickson clearance back with purpose before linking with the flying Gareth Davies. The scrum-half hit the gas to cross and referee Roman Poite resisted calls to consult the video referee after Saints called for a forward pass. 

Within minutes they wrestled back the initiative. 

Ken Pisi of Northampton crashes over the tryline to score the opening try of the game

Their maul - which had caused problems all evening - lay waste to the Scarlets' defence from a five-metre lineout and Alex Waller emerged from the bottom of the pile of bodies. 

Hanrahan failed to add the touchline conversion which left the lead at just one point. It looked a little precarious when Jamie Gibson was binned for not rolling away. 

Scarlets could not make good on his absence as Saints made good on their scrum, squeezing hard to earn a match-winning penalty which was an easy strike from in front of the posts for Hanrahan. 

Scarlets did come again and they forced a penalty with six minutes to go but Shingler hit the post Saints toughed it out from there.