- Live Reporting (active)
Summary
Northampton edge past 14-man Bath to win Premiership title
FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Bath's Obano shown red card on 22 minutes for high tackle
Freeman, Sleightholme & Mitchell cross for Saints; Du Toit & Muir for Bath
Saints' first title since 2014; Bath last champions in 1996
Live Reporting
Steve Mather
A great day to be a Saintpublished at 17:30
17:30
FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Image source, Getty ImagesThat's all from the 2023-24 Premiership season, with Northampton claiming the trophy.
Saints may not have hit their usual heights today but there can be no doubting they are deserved winners having topped the table and beaten Bath at Twickenham in the final today.
Bath had Beno Obano sent off early on but were excellent afterwards, pushing Saints all the way and were closing in on the win before Alex Mitchell's crucial match-winning intervention.
A fairytale ending for Saints' Courtney Lawes, Alex Waller and Lewis Ludlam, but there's much for Bath to be happy about too, they will be aiming to be back here on 14 June, 2025 for next year's final.
Thanks for joining us today for this epic final - enjoy the rest of your weekend!
'A dream come true'published at 17:29
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Northampton Saints' Courtney Lawes speaking to ITV 1:
"It's a dream come true, I couldn't have asked for more.
"It's been such a good season, we've done so much, we've grown so much as a team and what a way to finish it off."
Read the reportpublished at 17:25
17:25
FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
If you missed any of the action, Sophie Hurcom's report from Twickenham can be found by clicking here.
There was plenty to scribble down!
Image source, Getty Images'We'll stick around Beno'published at 17:22
17:22
FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:
"What a game of rugby from our side, we were tough to beat today but congratulations to Saints, I can't be more proud of my team.
"To play for 60 minutes with 14 men in a final makes it extremely difficult but we are one group united, we'll stick around Beno Obano.
"We'll take time to reflect on the season and get back to our families, after that we'll be able to look forward to the next season."
Image source, Getty ImagesLegend Lawes delighted with win on farewell appearancepublished at 17:19
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Courtney Lawes just mentioned on TNT Sports that he didn't think his side could have played worse!
He went on to pay tribute to Bath's reaction to going down to 10 men and his delight at winning the Premiership as he prepares to leave Saints after 17 years to join Brive in France's Top 14.
"I couldn't have thought of a better way to go out," he adds.
'Bath ran them so close'published at 17:17
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Martin Haag
Ex-Bath forward on BBC Radio BristolImage source, Rex FeaturesBath were brilliant. They were under the cosh especially when Beno Obano got the red card but in that second half they were the better team. Northampton had nothing and Bath tactically were fantastic.
Heart on their sleeves and their work rate was brilliant. They were so, so close and it came down to the last minute, one opportunity and it didn't quite come off.
'An amazing end to an enthralling season'published at 17:13
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Chris Peddy
BBC Sport at TwickenhamWhat an amazing end to an enthralling season - with both of these great teams playing their part in an unbelievable year and a fittingly captivating final.
For parts of the first half it looked like Bath might get blown away by Northampton after having prop Beno Obano sent off for a high challenge early on.
But their players can take huge credit for the way they pushed Saints to the very last whistle and their fans are showing their appreciation as they head over to them now.
For Northampton, their 10-year-long wait for the Premiership title is over, as departing captain Courtney Lawes lifts the trophy to end his memorable Saints career.
The Premiership champions...published at 17:12
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Image source, Getty ImagesDeparting Saints Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam and Alex Waller are front and centre as the trophy is held aloft.
The tickertape is flying and there are hugs aplenty as Northampton celebrate on the Twickenham turf.
Ready to lift the trophy...published at 17:10
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
The Saints players are approaching the podium now to pick up their medals and of course the trophy.
They certainly have played a lot better this season, they weren't really on it today but they did enough to get over the line and pick up the Premiership trophy.
Top of the table and winners of the final at Twickenham, they are without doubt the pick of the Premiership this campaign.
'We were a bit off it'published at 17:09
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live:
"I’m absolutely buzzing, it’s been a dream of mine to win thePremiership and now we have I’m over the moon.
"Scoring that try was massive, I was just there to finish itoff after George Hendy took on about five other boys, I didn’t have to do much!
"We were actually a bit off it today but we found a way andnow we’re champions so I’m delighted."
'Fairytale ending' for retiring Wallerpublished at 17:08
17:08
FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Saints prop Alex Waller, who is retiring after this game, speakingto TNT Sports: "I'm struggling to put it into words.
"We made hard work of it and it wasn’t ourbest performance by any stretch but a win’s a win and I’ll take that all daylong.
"This is why you play the game, to win trophies.
"It’s a fairytale endingfor me and I can't thank the boys enough."
'Something we will cherish for a long time'published at 17:05
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Saints' George Hendy, speaking to TNT Sports: "We tried to continue to be us. We didn’t wantto change the way we have played all season and after 80 minutes if we put our gameon the pitch we’d be happy and it’s even better that we got the result.
"If you’dhave told me how this year would go last year I would have bitten your hand offand called you a liar.
"This has been a full 60-man effort as well as the coachesand it’s something we will cherish for a long time."
'Let's hope it's the start of something special'published at 17:04
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Lennie Newman
Former Northampton Saints player and managerWow, I felt sick.
What a game.
Bath were outstanding. I know Saints didn't play particularly well in the second half but it was all down to how Bath managed the game really and they way the Saints didn't.
But it's been a long old season and they've deserved it over the length of time and I am so pleased for everyone involved at the Saints.
Let's hope it's the start of something special.
The supporters were the difference here.
'Saints been the best team this season'published at 17:00
17:00
FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Chris Ashton
Two-time Champions Cup winner for BBC Radio 5 LiveThe try from Mitchell was the decisive moment for Northampton.
The right team has won on the day and Saints have been the best team this season.
We have been treated to a great game today.
Saints championspublished at 17:00
17:00
FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Image source, Getty ImagesSaints win their second Premiership title 10 years after their first but how they were pushed by 14-man Bath.
Johann van Graan's men were brilliant and arguably the better side despite being a man down for almost an hour.
A moment of magic from George Hendy who supplied the assist for Alex Mitchell's match-winning try was the difference in the end.
What a match!
A truly intense and captivating contest fitting of the occasion.
'What a game'published at 16:58
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Graham McKechnie
BBC Radio Northampton sportThe for the second time in this club's long and proud history Northampton Saints are the Premiership champions.
A wonderful occasion and they just about got there.
The future for Saints looks very bright indeed.
What a game.
'10 years of hurt'published at 16:57
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FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath
Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent for BBC Radio 5 LiveNorthampton win the Premiership!
They celebrate after 10 long years of hurt.
Spare a thought for the men of Bath who were heroic but it was the Saints who were able to find the killer play when they needed it most.
What a final.
Full-timepublished at 16:56
16:56
Northampton 25-21 Bath
Bath go wide, but the ball is loose - is it a knock-on?
The officials say yes and that's it.
Saints win!
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 80+1 mins
80+1 mins
Northampton 25-21 Bath
Here's the Bath line-out.
They have it...
Postpublished at 16:54
16:54
Northampton 25-21 Bath
Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent for BBC Radio 5 LiveWhat a huge moment, Northampton thought they had won it but Bath can kick to the corner and go for their maul.
The game is still alive!
