PREM: Northampton 41-38 Bath - Saints take the spoils from top of the table barnstormer

By Charlotte Newell at Franklin's Gardens

These teams last faced each other in the Prem in December 2025 when Saints beat Bath 41-21. There are notable changes to consider ahead of this game as Northampton welcome back key players such as Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell, whilst Bath have lost Finn Russell. More importantly, these teams faced each other only a couple of weeks ago in the Champions Cup Semi-Final when Bath beat Northampton 43-41. Such a tight margin could mean both teams have something to prove on the pitch.

Let the game begin.

Fin Smith opens the scoring for Northampton to set his side out on top in the opening moments of the game. The referee accuses Bath of trying to slow down the restart. The eagerness of both teams to remain unbeaten in the Prem in 2026 is very alive within the first five minutes of the game.

Bath find their way to be in with a try in the 7^th minute thanks to Van der Linde but are unable to make anything of it. The Saints on the other hand give away a penalty and Tom Litchfield is given a yellow card. Bath makes use of their advantage and equals the score 7-7 thanks to a try by Louie Hennessey.

One more yellow card was given in the first half and that went to Bath’s Will Muir in the 13^th minute for a deliberate knock on. Saint’s Tommy Freeman reacts immediately by securing the try he’d lost out on due to Muir.

This is a game designed for the wing. Northampton work the ball to Ollie Sleightholme, showing a great team effort and mastery of passing the ball at the right moment. A successful conversion brings the score to 21 – 7 in the 20^th minute, with Saints comfortably in the lead.

Drama in the 32^nd minute when the Saints celebrate five tries in the first half. Emmanuel Iyogun thinks he has scored and the on-field decision agrees. Unfortunately for the Saints, the review notes a separation from the ball and the players hand, indicating a loss of control and therefore no try. Saints are back to four tries and will look to bring back their fifth.

The drama doesn’t stop there as just shy of the 40^th minute Henry Pollock kicks the ball which is chased by Josh Kemeny for the Saints. Bath’s Dan Frost gets to the ball at the same time as Kemeny who both appear to both have hands on the ball over the line. TMO determines it a simultaneous grounding and no try is given.

We reach half time with a score of 26 – 14, giving the home side the lead.

In the second half, it is Bath who react immediately with a try by Tom Carr-Smith, but the joy doesn’t last for long as Saints Sleightholme lands his second try of the game now giving Northampton a lead of 31-21.

Ahead of the 50^th minute both teams have bonus points as Bath’s Tom de Glanville puts his side back in the mix with a try and now a gap of 31 – 26.

Bath level the score in the 59^th minute thanks to a try by Archie Griffin. Will they take the lead with a successful conversion? It’s missed. Level game. Who will take the lead next?

We wait until the 72^nd minute for Tommy Freeman to land a try for the Saints. Fin Smith scores the conversion and puts Northampton into the lead with 38 – 31 with only just over five minutes to play.

This is the game which keeps giving as Bath land a try in the 75^th minute at the hands of Kepu Tuipulotu. The pressure is now on for a successful conversion to level the score. Ciaran Donoghue gets it. The score is 38 – 38 in the 76^th minute.

A high tackle from Bath’s Opoku-Gyamfi gives a penalty and Fin Smith the opportunity to win the game in the last moments for Northampton. Over it goes!

Full time. The Saints win 41 – 38.

The PREM Final is fast approaching on 20^th June 2026 at Allianz Stadium. So, what’s next for the top two teams?

Bath Rugby remains in the Champions Cup and will play Bordeaux Begles away on 3^rd May. The final of the tournament is on 22^nd May.

For the Premiership, Bath have four games remaining. They are yet to play Exeter and Bristol away and will play Newcastle and Leicester at home. This means they are to face third, fourth, fifth and tenth place within the table. Bath won the PREM Rugby final last year beating Leicester 23 – 21 and will want to find their way to back-to-back titles.

Northampton having been knocked out of the Champions Cup by Bath, only have four more games to worry about. They will play Leicester and Harlequins away, whilst facing Bristol and Gloucester at home. The Saints then have to play third, fourth, eighth and ninth placed teams. Northampton last won the PREM Rugby final in 2024 when they beat Bath 25-21.

Could the 2026 final be the winners of 2025 against 2024?