Key events
27 minutes: Oh, so close! Gallagher almost sniffed. It started with a high shot from Russell that was expertly plucked out of the sky by Muir. Then a cross-footed shot swings and bounces, but it won’t fall kindly for Gallagher, rampaging down the wing. It’s the second embarrassing rebound against Gallagher. Bathroom he won’t go down without a fight.
I’M TRYING! Northampton 10-3 Bath (Freeman, 24)
Stunning! They’ve been tearing teams apart all season and that’s another beauty. From a solid base in midfield they go down the right but cut back down the left with a lovely counter pass from Lowes – in touch – to Freeman who breaks through the gap and then all he has to do is find Freeman on the touchline.
Smith puts in the extras and this can start to get messy Bathroom.
24 minutes: With a male advantage Northampton got a boost in the scrum and Sleightholme charged forward making huge gains as he carried. But Underhill starts the ball under the shadow of his own posts. By God, this is an important intervention. Showman overpowers him and Batt clears with a kick.
What to do Bathroom Do it now? Schoeman came on to secure the scrum and Barbeary was substituted. How sad for him. Ewells and Underhill give their thoughts in solid team chats. If they win it from here it will be a show for the ages.
RED CARD! Bath (Obano, 22)
Bath have to play with 14 in one hour. No debate here. He flew in at speed, smashed Augustus high, it’s just a red card. Even a diehard Bathroom a fan can appeal the decision. What a huge moment.
Obano may be in trouble here. A strong blow against Augustus. Head to head. I think we are about to see a red card in the final.
Drop goal! Northampton 3-3 Bath (Smith, 21)
Who needs tea? Northampton had the ball but weren’t going anywhere. So Smith dropped into the pocket and scored a sweetly struck drop goal to restore parity.
20 minutes: The Saints are clawing their way back Bathroom territory. Smith throws short balls off the shoulder for runners, now he’s back in the pocket…
18 minutes: Smith is missing a babysitter! He hits the post from 30 yards and it’s a big miss Bathroom.
18 minutes: The Saints are lucky with a free kick in the scrum so they pat and go. Down the line, but it’s a bit messy. Spencer puts tremendous pressure on Mitchell with every shot. The message is, stop Mitchell and stop Northampton. But he went too early on this occasion and it’s a penalty for the Saints in reach.
16 minutes: Scrum for Northampton right in their half after Muir knocked on. Augustus has to pick up from behind as the Bath pack takes a hit. So instead of a ball on the front foot, Mitchell lifts a high fielder. Freeman is doing well when he rallies and now the Saints can start an attack. But a blitz by Cokanasiga forces a punt.
14 minutes: Northampton vs Bath’s 22. Underhill wipes out Mitchell. Bath defend so well. Now they’ve turned the ball over and are countering thanks to Spencer’s pressure on Mitchell at the back of the tackle. Muir flies down the wing, but Freeman makes a great cover save. Electric stuff from both teams. Great start to this match.
11 minutes: Ewels levels Furbank! The Saints fullback collected a high kick and went on the counter, but he failed to spot the Bath winger who was able to take the shot. Oh, but the Saints get a penalty (the kick looked good to me) and Smith gets stuck in the box. Good platform here for Northampton on strike.
Penalty! Northampton 0-3 Bath (Russell, 9)
He could bring it back from there. First points of the final go to the magician from Scotland.
8 minutes: Lawes is now being pinged not to step down. It’s a shot in front of the poles, so Russell should have no problem making the three. Questions about Barberry losing his legs but…
7 minutes: Some argy-bargy as Langdon and Redpath get into a scrap. This is a punishment for Bathroom strike in midfield thanks to sure work on the ball from Obano (his second big contribution).
And now a standing ovation for the rugby league legend Rob Burrow.
6 minutes: Russell grimaces the moment it hits him. It wasn’t a good looking shot and the ball spiraled left of the posts.
5 minutes: Scrum penalty for Bath! This is a powerful shunt from Obano. Their decor is fierce. Russell will aim from about 40 out from the corner.
4 minutes: Mitchell clears with an impressive box kick. His sharp strike at the base of the scrum gave his team the ball on the front foot. They got it back as Dunn’s throw, the lineout was not straight, so the Saints have a scrum 10 meters from the halfway line.
2 minutes: Big push from Bathroom. They try to force the penalty but the Saints manage to keep their form and it will be a replay.
1 minute: GREAT MOMENT! Gallagher almost scores. Northampton coughed up the ball off the line and Batt booted forward. Gallagher chases but can’t collect the rebound. Furbank takes a crucial shot and Gallagher scores. Scrum to Saints five from their own line.
Peeeep! Bathroom in blue, black and white. Northampton in green, black and gold. Smith kicks off, Batt collects and the hoof returns to halfway.
Just then, five minutes left. Two teams in hot form. Two teams that stood out throughout the league campaign. Two teams stacked with match-winners and supported by fans who have waited a long time to tackle England’s grand prize.
In case it’s not clear, I’m buzzing about it.
So what was the Saints’ secret sauce?
Certainly their attacking flair, led by the brilliant Finn Smith with jet-heeled wizards providing the finishing touches to some stunning results. But dig a little deeper and it’s actually a more robust S&C program and added guts on defense that got them to the final.
Don’t believe me, well let fullback George Fairbank fix the record:
Hugo Monnier – now there’s a man who knows a thing or two about rugby.
The former Harlequins, England and British and Irish Lions winger penned a column calling out the Saints and Bathroom to try, leave nothing to chance and let the ball do the talking.
It’s always a special moment when the teams travel to the grand old stadium.
Before we get into the festivities, allow Rob Kitson to offer some perspective.
I promise, unless something madness happenseverything will be optimistic from now on.
Can Finn lead Bat to the promised land?
Rugby is a team sport, but it’s hard not to focus on Finn Russell. He is arguably top 10 in the world and has an immediate impact in the West Country, ruling Bathroom to a first final since 2015 and 80 minutes away from a first title in 28 years.
If this loose trio gets on top, he will have a useful day and with the midfield of Cameron Redpath and Ollie Lawrence forming a formidable duo, Bath will fancy their chances of an upset.
Bathroom: Gallagher’ Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Du Toit, Roux, Ewells, Hill, Underhill, Barbary.
Subs: Annett, Schoeman, Stewart, Stock, Bayliss, Schreuder, Bailey, Reid.
🐺 💥🔵⚫️⚪️
Captain Ben Spencer will lead the blue, black and white at Twickenham tomorrow in the Gallagher Premiership Final.
All eyes are on the prize. Make sure you bring the noise! 👊
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) June 7, 2024
One last battle for Courtney
Will this be a famous final act for one of England’s modern day greats? Giant Courtney Laws captains the side that start as favorites this afternoon.
Around him is a mobile pack that will look to give their blistering backline enough forward ball to wreak havoc. And keep an eye on red-haired 21-year-old George Handy off the bench.
Northampton Saints: Furbank; Freeman, Odendaal, Dingwall, Slateholme; Smith, Mitchell; Waller, Langdon, Davison, Moon, Coles, Laws (c), Pearson, Augustus.
Subs: Matawesi, Iyogun, Millar Mills, Mayanawanua, Graham, Ludlam, James, Handy.
Preamble
Daniel Gallen
Today, the years of pain are finally over. Just how much will be determined by which captain wins English club rugby’s most prestigious award.
Should Ben Spencer from Bath take the podium as Premiership champion, he will scratch a 28-year itch. In 1996, the last time this famous club won the top honors in the league. Back then it was just called Division 1 and the game was hardly professional. It’s been a long wait for those who fill The Rec every week.
The drought was not that long Northamptonwho were Premiership champions in 2014. But a decade is a long time in this sport and, having sat top of the league since December, there is an expectation that Phil Dawson’s free-flowing side can cut any opponent to shreds on their day , will do the job.
This is the first title decider without Exeter or Saracens in 11 years, so the occasion already has a fresh feel. This could be the start of a generational rivalry that dominates the Premier League for years to come.
But first, one of them must engrave his name on the trophy.
3pm kick-off at Twickenham.
Teams, updates and more are coming.
