Edoardo Todaro Hat-Trick Propels Northampton Past Scarlets

The Investec Champions Cup Pool 4 clash at Franklin’s Gardens on January 18, 2026, delivered exactly the kind of drama, resilience, and individual brilliance that rugby fans crave. Northampton Saints, last year’s beaten finalists, hosted the Scarlets in a match brimming with high stakes and even higher emotions. The final score—43-28 in favor of the Saints—only tells part of the story. The afternoon belonged to 19-year-old Italian wing Edoardo Todaro, who dazzled with a first-half hat-trick, and to a Scarlets side that, despite their defeat, showed flashes of their storied European past under the fresh leadership of interim director Nigel Davies.

For Northampton, the win not only secured a coveted home tie in the last 16 but also marked a crucial bounce-back following a tough defeat at Bordeaux the previous weekend. The Saints needed to finish strong to lock up second place in Pool 4, and with Bristol Bears falling to Bordeaux, the path was clear. Yet, the Scarlets—desperate for a bonus-point win to keep their European hopes alive—were never going to make it easy.

The Welsh visitors, bottom of the United Rugby Championship and enduring a challenging season, arrived with renewed vigor. The recent appointment of Nigel Davies, returning to the helm after more than a decade away, seemed to have sparked something. The Scarlets twice led in the first half, with Ryan Elias pouncing on a charged-down kick for a third-minute try and Archie Hughes finishing a sweeping move on 25 minutes. Their ambition and attacking flair were evident, and Northampton’s defense looked shaky in the early exchanges.

But then came the Todaro show. The Italian teenager, capped by his country in November, has been one of the signings of the Premiership season. Having made his Saints debut in September, Todaro has quickly become a fan favorite for his fearless running and sharp finishing. Against the Scarlets, he notched his first try on 17 minutes, finishing sweetly from an Alex Mitchell pass. His second and third tries, coming in the space of 23 first-half minutes, showcased his footwork, handling, and uncanny sense for the try line. The latter two scores came after Scarlets’ loosehead Kemsley Mathias was sin-binned for repeated scrum infringements—a game-changing moment that swung the momentum firmly toward the Saints.

“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,” Todaro told Premier Sports after collecting the Player of the Match award. His tally now stands at nine tries in 11 Premiership and Champions Cup appearances—a remarkable strike rate for a player in his first full professional season.

Northampton’s second-half surge was ignited by Ollie Sleightholme, who finished a lovely running move from halfway in the 51st minute. Substitute Craig Wright added another try from a driving maul just eight minutes later, stretching the Saints’ lead to 33-14. At that point, the hosts looked set to cruise, but the Scarlets refused to lie down. Fly-half Sam Costelow, who had earlier converted his own try, orchestrated a late rally. He crossed the line in the 67th minute, then set up Jac Davies for another score five minutes later, narrowing the gap to just five points and setting up a nail-biting finish.

It took a late penalty from Anthony Belleau and a clock-in-the-red try from Callum Chick to finally put the game beyond reach. Belleau’s role in the Saints’ campaign has been nothing short of heroic, especially considering the adversity he has faced off the field. Just two weeks before the Scarlets clash, Belleau suffered a gruesome mouth injury against Harlequins, losing three lower incisors after being struck by a flying boot. “It’s getting better. It was quite crazy, I got this impact and it left a big hole in my chin. Three teeth came off. One tooth was still in my mouth and the medical team found one of them on the pitch, so they put it in a little tube,” Belleau recounted to Daily Mail Sport. Despite medical advice to avoid contact, he played in the crucial game against Bordeaux with a splint and a second gumshield, determined to help his team when they needed him most.

Belleau’s commitment has endeared him to Saints fans and teammates alike. “One broken nose at the beginning of the season, three teeth out, 25 stitches… and we are halfway through the season!” he joked, reflecting on his eventful introduction to English rugby. The Frenchman, on a one-year contract, has yet to decide whether he will remain in England beyond this season but has embraced the challenge of adapting to a new rugby culture. “English rugby is more structured than French rugby. The French are a bit more emotional. The atmosphere for a Top 14 game is different depending if you play home or away. Here, teams trust more in the process as a team,” Belleau observed.

Scarlets, for their part, will rue their vulnerable scrum and the penalties that ultimately cost them the match. Mathias’s yellow card before halftime was pivotal, as it allowed Northampton to overturn a potential halftime deficit and head into the break with a lead. Yet, there were positives for the Welsh side. Under Davies, the team showed renewed spirit and attacking intent. “I believe in the Scarlets DNA; I believe in the way that we play and our culture. I believe in this group, and I must believe that I can make a difference as well,” Davies said with conviction. Their late surge, earning a four-try bonus point, was a testament to their grit—something they’ll need as they return to United Rugby Championship action.

For Northampton, the win was far from flawless. Handling errors and defensive lapses kept the result in doubt until the final moments. Notably, Fin Smith’s continued absence with a calf strain raises questions for both the Saints and England, with the Six Nations looming. Director of rugby Phil Dowson explained before the match, “Fin’s calf hasn’t recovered to the extent that we would be happy for him to play, so he stays out.” The Saints will hope for his swift return as they prepare for the knockout stages.

In the end, this was a contest that had it all: youthful brilliance, veteran resilience, and just enough chaos to keep everyone guessing until the final whistle. Northampton march on, their European dream very much alive, while the Scarlets, though eliminated, can take heart from a performance that hinted at better days ahead.