Northampton Saints clinched their first Premiership title in a decade with a dramatic 25-21 victory over 14-man Bath at Twickenham.
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Scrum-half Alex Mitchell scored the decisive try with seven minutes remaining, capping off a rollercoaster match that saw Bath stage a remarkable comeback despite the early dismissal of prop Beno Obano just 21 minutes into the game.
Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme initially put Saints in the lead, but Bath fought back with tries from Thomas du Toit and Will Muir, and a penalty from Finn Russell that gave them a surprising edge.
However, the Saints capitalized on their numerical advantage in the dying moments, holding off Bath's fierce fightback to secure their first Premiership title since 2014, topping off a stellar season where they finished at the top of the regular league table.
However, not everyone on either side was able to perform at their best in the showpiece final at Twickenham.
#1. Beno Obano (Bath RFC)
Planet Rugby 2/10: "Strong start in the scrums, but he has no excuse for his tackle. It was early on, he was always high and there was no slip. In the end, it proved to be very costly."
Rugby Pass 2/10: "A strong opening twenty minutes was offset by a red card tackle that had zero mitigating factors and cost his team heavily in the end."
Telegraph 3/10: "We shall never know whether the sending-off cost his side but it certainly did not help. A clear-cut red card, in truth, but his scrummaging was mighty before the exit."
Beno Obano of Bath Rugby looks dejected after losing during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby at Twickenham Stadium on 8 June 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#2. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)
Telegraph 5/10: "Lost the ball at an early ruck and nearly paid for it, and his box-kicking was good until one charge down. Overall though he was quiet – and then up he popped when it mattered most to finish Hendy’s break."
Planet Rugby 4/10: "Scored the winning try, showing both his desire and stamina, so gets credit for that, but it was altogether a subpar performance. Some poor decision-making throughout as Ben Spencer got to him."
TRY scored by Alex Mitchell of Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby at Twickenham Stadium on 8 June 2024. Photo: Mat Mingo/PPAUK
#3. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath RFC)
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Precious few opportunities with ball in hand and like his fellow winger, he chased Bath’s high balls well."
Telegraph 5/10: "It was the big wing’s breakdown work which was most notable, curiously. There was some brutal counter-rucking, particularly before Obano’s dismissal, but the opposing wings were the better unit."
Joe Cokanasiga of Bath Rugby is tackled by Alex Mitchell of Northampton Saints during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby at Twickenham Stadium on 8 June 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#4. Alfie Barbeary (Bath RFC)
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Only got 20-odd minutes as he was sacrificed after Obano’s sending-off. He was solid in that time making five tackles and two carries in close."
Rugby Pass 5/10: "Cruelly plucked from the action following Beno Obano’s red card, Barbeary, in conjunction with his backrow teammates, had a sterling opening twenty minutes. His physicality and ability to get into awkward positions at the breakdown were key factors in slowing down the Saints for the first quarter."
Alfie Barbeary of Bath Rugby in shock after winning during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Semi Final Match between Bath Rugby and Sale Sharks at the Recreation Ground on 1 June 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. Alex Waller (Northampton Saints)
Telegraph 4/10: "Felt the heat from Du Toit giving up a penalty, and then later was pinged for wheeling which led to Muir’s try. That said, what a great ambassador he has been for this club."
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Had a tough old time against the superb Thomas du Toit and was eventually replaced early in the second period. A club legend, however, who retires as one of the Saints’ best ever."
Alex Waller of Northampton Saints, Curtis Langdon of Northampton Saints, Trevor Davison of Northampton Saints and Alex Moon of Northampton Saints celebrates after winning during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby at Twickenham Stadium on 8 June 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
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