Northampton Player Ratings: Saints March to Premiership Glory at Twickenham

In a pulsating Gallagher Premiership final at Twickenham, Northampton Saints came from behind to clinch a thrilling 25-21 victory over Bath and end their 10-year wait for the title. Playing in front of 81,699 fans, the Saints put on a spirited display to give the legendary Courtney Lawes a celebratory send-off before his move to Brive next season.

Despite being a man up after Bath’s Beno Obano saw red in the 22nd minute, Northampton struggled to pull away, letting the West Country side fight back to take the lead in the 67th minute. However, a 73rd-minute try from replacement Alex Mitchell and a late turnover sealed the victory for the Saints.

Northampton player ratings:

15. George Furbank – 8/10:

Crucial try-saving tackle early on, then instrumental in the tries for Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme. Solid kicking display after the injury to fly-half Fin Smith.

14. Tommy Freeman – 8/10:

Powerful display, scoring a try and making crucial tackles to keep Bath at bay.

13. Burger Odendaal – 6/10:

Made his presence felt in midfield before an unfortunate injury forced him off.

12. Fraser Dingwall – 7/10:

Showed his attacking flair, complementing the work of the powerful midfield.

11. Ollie Sleightholme – 8/10:

The league’s top try-scorer capped his season with another well-taken effort.

10. Fin Smith – 7/10:

Composed display from the young fly-half, shrugging off a couple of knocks before being forced off.

9. Alex Mitchell – 8/10:

Came under intense pressure but kept his composure to score the decisive try and secure the title.

1. Alex Waller – 6.5/10:

Veteran prop put in a useful shift before making way in the second half.

2. Curtis Langdon – 6/10:

Solid if unspectacular performance from the hooker.

3. Trevor Davison – 6.5/10:

Settled after a difficult start at the scrum.

4. Alex Moon – 6.5/10:

Played his part in the first-half dominance but struggled as Bath fought back.

5. Alex Coles – 7/10:

Endured a frustrating second half but remained influential in defence.

6. Courtney Lawes – 7.5/10:

The Saints legend produced a captain’s performance, helping guide his side to victory.

7. Tom Pearson – 7/10:

His powerful carries set the platform for Northampton’s first-half tries.

8. Juarno Augustus – 7.5/10:

Carried strongly but was sin-binned for a not-rolling infringement that allowed Bath to retake the lead.

Replacements:

• George Hendy – 8.5/10: Bounced back from an early error to create the decisive try and secure the win.
• Emmanuel Iyogun, Sam Matavesi, Elliot Millar-Mills, Lewis Ludlam, Sam Graham – All made valuable contributions to the Saints’ triumph.

“In a tight and absorbing contest, Northampton showed their resilience to come from behind and clinch the Premiership title. This victory will be remembered as a fitting send-off for the legendary Courtney Lawes before he departs for France.”

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