Foden heroics fire Saints to comeback win

Scarlets 17 Northampton 29

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder hailed "world-class" matchwinner Ben Foden after the England full-back laid down a marker for Six Nations selection by playing a key role in his side's thrilling 29-17 win over Scarlets in the Heineken Cup.

Saints had trailed 14-6 at the break at Parc y Scarlets, but tries from prop Soane Tonga'uiha and Foden, plus a 17-point contribution from the boot of fly-half Stephen Myler, secured a win that keeps the Premiership side in with a chance of dropping in to the Amlin Challenge Cup.

Foden was a prominent presence throughout and he capped a superb individual performance with two telling contributions at the denouement of an absorbing contest.

With the score at 22-17 in the visitors' favour, but with the Scarlets hammering away desperately searching for a try that would preserve their Heineken Cup hopes, Foden firstly made a superb covering tackle to deny opposite number Liam Williams in the left-hand corner. He followed that up by intercepting a pass from Scarlets replacement Rhodri Williams to race the length of the field for the clinching score from the final play of the game.

Mallinder said: "He is a quality player and it's not the first time he has played so well, I think it shows what a world-class player he is in attack and defence."