Fraser Dingwall was pleased with his Northampton Saints side’s effort in securing a home Round of 16 match in this season’s Investec Champions Cup, as their final Pool stage clash ended in a 43-28 victory over Scarlets.
Dingwall captained Northampton as they ran in six tries against Scarlets to secure a bonus-point victory and a place in the competition’s knock-out stages for the third season running – which will see Castres Olympique make a third trip to Northampton in 18 months on the weekend of 3/4/5 April.
A first-half hat-trick from Italian winger Edoardo Todaro saw Saints narrowly lead at the break, but Scarlets – who needed a victory to progress in the European competition – stayed right in the fight, getting themselves within five points of Northampton with ten minutes to play.
And while the men in Black, Green and Gold did seal their victory with an Anthony Belleau penalty and Callum Chick’s late score, Dingwall felt his side had more to give in the contest.
“We felt frustrated by the errors that were within our control,” said Dingwall. “But at the end of the day, it’s pleasing to be in a place where you’re frustrated with the performance but still take away five points in Europe.
“It’s just the levels of what we demand from each other, which is a great place to be in. We want to keep kicking on and getting better because we know within this group, we have great talent that can do amazing things. We’ll take a lot out of this game.
Saints’ progression to the next round sees them welcome Castres to cinch Stadium for the second season running – with Northampton defeating their French opposition twice last term, with the sides’ pool stage clash ending 38-8 in Northampton’s favour before Saints produced a 51-16 stunner in the quarter-final.
Dingwall added: “The home Round of 16 is massively important. We saw last year how vital those home knockout rounds are, so it’s been a massive effort to secure that.
“Even the boys digging out a point away from home last weekend against Bordeaux, it all contributes, and those are the important things.”
Todaro’s three scores against Scarlets took his tally to nine tries in just 12 appearances for Northampton this season, and Dingwall was full of praise for the former Saints Academy winger on only his second Investec Champions Cup appearance.
“Edoardo has a fantastic talent for rugby,” Dingwall continued.
“He’s like Tommy when he came through. It doesn’t seem like he’s thinking too much, he just acts. He’s just very good at it, and what a fantastic place to be, just a young lad enjoying himself.
“He sees space nicely, and scores tries as well, so we’re lucky to have him.”