Mark McCall’s men arrived in West Wales knowing a victory would all-but guarantee them a home tie in the last eight. But the Scarlets had other ideas. Nathan Earle crossed for the visitors, but the boot of Dan Jones kept the Scarlets’ noses in-front.

Ashton levelled the scores with his 32nd try in Europe’s premier rugby competition, but Scott Williams hit-back. A late Jones penalty looked to have been enough, before Farrell and Ashton combined to snatch a draw.

Saracens will advance from Pool 3 and know a win against RC Toulon will guarantee a home tie in the last eight, while the Scarlets’ slim hopes of qualifying are over despite another heroic performance.

The West Walians raced out of the blocks and had two early chances to get over the whitewash. Jones’ cross-field kick did not bounce kindly for Sarries bound Liam Williams, before captain Ken Owens fumbled on the try line. They did go three points ahead thanks to a Jones penalty moments later, after a powerful scrum under the posts.

Their advantage did not last for long as the European champions turned on the power. A driving lineout was stopped short of the line, but wave after wave of carries weakened the Scarlets’ rearguard. Richard Wigglesworth fired a pass to Alex Lowzowski, who cushioned the ball into the path of Earle, who dived over for his second Champions Cup try.

But the Scarlets’ response was immediate. Jonny McNicholl was dragged into touch just short of the line, but Jones was on-target with a penalty moments later to retake the lead. He made it three from three moments later, before Farrell missed a penalty of his own to keep the gap at four points at half-time.

Four quickly became seven after another Dan Jones penalty, but the champions scored a try from nowhere to level it up. The Scarlets were repelling Sarries, before a loose ball was scooped up by Farrell. He sent Lozowski flying through a gap in midfield and the full-back found Ashton – who crossed for his 32nd European Cup try.

The Scarlets’ star men stood up to restore the seven point lead. The hosts went straight back down the other end before Scott Williams punctured the Sarries defence to score from close range. Wayne Pivac would have been pleased with the way his charges kept the ball deep in Sarries territory, until Jones snatched at a drop-goal. Liam Williams failed to deal with the long restart and Stuff Evans gifted them a penalty to cut the gap to 19-15.

Jones nailed his fifth penalty to make it 22-15 before Will Skleton was sin-binned. But Farrell broke clean through and sent Ashton in at the posts, before converting to rescue a draw.