Northampton Saints emerged as the English rugby Premiership champions for the first time since 2014, narrowly defeating a resilient 14-man Bath team in a gripping 25-21 encounter at Twickenham.
Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell sealed the victory with a decisive try seven minutes from the end, capping a rollercoaster match that saw Bath fighting back bravely despite the early dismissal of prop Beno Obano.
The Saints took an early lead with tries from Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme, but Bath clawed their way back with scores from Thomas du Toit and Will Muir. A penalty from Finn Russell briefly put the undermanned Bath side ahead, but Northampton’s numerical advantage eventually told. George Hendy’s brilliant run set up Mitchell for the winning try, ensuring Northampton’s first title in a decade and crowning a season in which they topped the league table.
Despite the victory, it was a bittersweet farewell for several Saints legends, including England flanker Courtney Lawes, Alex Moon, Lewis Ludlam, and the retiring Alex Waller, all of whom played their final games for the club. The match began with a flurry of errors and penalties, reflecting the high stakes and tension of the occasion.
Bath, who have not lifted the Premiership trophy since 1996, were left to ponder what might have been. They showed tremendous spirit and resilience after Obano’s red card for a high tackle on Juarno Augustus. Despite being down a player, Bath managed to overturn a 15-3 deficit to lead 21-18 at one point, thanks to Russell’s kicking and determined tries from their forwards.
Northampton’s early dominance came through a determined offense and a pivotal red card for Obano, which opened up gaps in Bath’s defense. Freeman’s try following a clever offload from George Furbank and Sleightholme’s solo effort put the Saints ahead. However, Bath’s powerful response kept the game balanced until the final stages.
As the second half unfolded, Bath continued to press, with Muir’s acrobatic try from a Spencer cross-field kick tying the scores. Yet, Russell’s missed conversions kept them from taking the lead. A strategic 50:22 kick from Russell set up Bath deep in Northampton territory, but repeated knock-ons and penalties thwarted their momentum.
Ultimately, Northampton’s ability to produce moments of brilliance under pressure was the difference. Hendy’s dazzling run and Mitchell’s composed finish secured a hard-fought victory, marking a triumphant end to a challenging and competitive season for the Saints.
