Saints, struggling in the English Premiership with just four wins all season, triumphed 22-20 win at Llanelli on Sunday and should secure a European Cup quarter-final place if they beat pool three fall guys Glasgow at Franklins Gardens next Friday.

Saints captain Thompson, who had moved to the back row after flanker Andrew Blowers went off, struck two minutes from time as Llanelli tried desperately to preserve a 20-15 lead.

A 35-metre dash for glory saw him sidestep Scarlets full-back Garan Evans, before he cut back inside and dived over in celebratory fashion behind the posts.

Fly-half Paul Grayson kicked the simple conversion - he earlier notched five penalties - to finish with 17 points and send Llanelli spinning out of Europe.

Saints repeatedly had to absorb Llanelli pressure during a bruising forward battle at Stradey Park, but their character and commitment could never be questioned.

Given that pool two leaders Toulouses final home game is against Llanelli, also on Friday, Northampton are unlikely to finish top of their group.

But they will reach 20 points by beating Glasgow, which should be enough to clinch one of two best runners-up spots and an away clash in the last eight.

Recalling his try, Thompson said: We had gone through a number of phases.

I looked up and saw their prop John Davies was in front of me, and a gap opened up between him and the player outside him.

I managed to get through and then I noticed their full-back had over-run to go for Ben Cohen; then I heard Paul Grayson shouting for me to go between the posts because he didnt fancy a conversion from out wide - and you have to listen to your coaches nowadays.

England begin their RBS 6 Nations campaign against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, February 5.