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If that loose trio gets on top he’ll have a field day and with a midfield of Cameron Redpath and Ollie Lawrence forming a formidable duo, Bath will fancy their chances of an upset.
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Bath: Gallagher’ Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Du Toit, Roux, Ewels, Hill, Underhill, Barbeary.
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Replacements: Annett, Schoeman, Stuart, Stooke, Bayliss, Schreuder, Bailey, Reid.
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𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙈'𝙎 𝙐𝙋! 💥🔵⚫️⚪️
Captain Ben Spencer will lead the Blue, Black and White out at Twickenham tomorrow at the Gallagher Premiership Final.
All eyes are on the prize. Make sure you bring the noise! 👊
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) June 7, 2024
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Will it be a famous final act for one of England’s modern greats? The giant Courtney Lawes skippers the side that starts as favourites this afternoon.
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Around him is a mobile pack that will look to give their blistering backline enough front ball to cause chaos. And keep an eye on the 21-year-old with ginger hair, George Hendy, off the bench.
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Northampton Saints: Furbank; Freeman, Odendaal, Dingwall, Sleightholme; Smith, Mitchell; Waller, Langdon, Davison, Moon, Coles, Lawes (c), Pearson, Augustus.
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Replacements: Matavesi, Iyogun, Millar Mills, Mayanavanua, Graham, Ludlam, James, Hendy.
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🖤💚💛
Here are your Saints for the Gallagher Premiership Final.https://t.co/Ah10HhskAT pic.twitter.com/ZpeL0mNveN
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) June 7, 2024
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Today, years of hurt finally come to an end. How many exactly will be determined by which captain hoists aloft English club rugby’s most glittering prize.
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Should Bath’s Ben Spencer climb the podium as Premiership champion, he will erase a 28 year itch. It was 1996 the last time this famous club claimed top honours in the league. Back then it was simply called Division 1 and the game was barely professional. It’s been a long old wait for those who fill The Rec every week.
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The drought hasn’t been as prolonged for Northampton, who were Premiership champions in 2014. But a decade is a long time in this sport and, after sitting on top of the league since December, there’s an expectation that Phil Dowson’s freewheeling side, one that can cut any opponent to shreds on their day, will get the job done.
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This is the first title decider without either Exeter or Saracens in 11 years, so the occasion already has a fresh feel to it. This could be the start of a generational rivalry that dominates the Premiership for years to come.
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But first, one of them has to etch their name on the trophy.
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Kick-off at 3pm at Twickenham.
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Teams, updates and other bits to come.
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Important Events
Ugo Monnier – Here’s someone who knows a lot about rugby administration.
The former Harlequins, England and British & Irish Lions winger penned a column calling on Saints and Bath to take their chances, leave nothing to chance and let the ball do the talking.
It’s always a special moment when the team arrives at this ancient and magnificent stadium.
Wedge: Bath fans flocked to Twickenham in the hopes of seeing their newly arrived team crowned English champions for the first time since 1996. #GallagherPremier #Norbat #rugby pic.twitter.com/dd9riNwIi0
— Rugby Pass (@RugbyPass) June 8, 2024
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Before we dive into the celebrations, let’s let Rob Kitson provide a little perspective.
I promise everything will be smooth sailing from now on unless something crazy happens.
Will Finn be able to get Baas to the promised land?
Rugby is a team sport but it’s hard not to notice Finn Russell. There’s even a case to be made that he’s one of the top 10 players in the world and he made an instant impact in the West Country, leading Bath to their first final since 2015 and coming within 80 minutes of winning their first title in 28 years.
Bath will be in great form if this loose trio comes out on top, and with Cameron Redpath and Ollie Lawrence forming a formidable midfield pairing, Bath could have a good chance of causing an upset.
bus: Gallagher, Cocanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, Muir, Russell, Spencer (c), Obano, Dunn, du Toit, Roux, Ewells, Hill, Underhill, Barbeary.
Substitutes: Annett, Schoman, Stuart, Stoke, Bayliss, Schreuder, Bailey, Reid.
Yay! 💥🔵⚫️⚪️
Captain Ben Spencer will lead the Blue, Black and White in tomorrow’s Gallagher Premiership final at Twickenham.
All eyes are on the prize, so shout out loud! 👊
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) June 7, 2024
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Yay! 💥🔵⚫️⚪️
Captain Ben Spencer will lead the Blue, Black and White in tomorrow’s Gallagher Premiership final at Twickenham.
All eyes are on the prize, so shout out loud! 👊
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) June 7, 2024
Courtney’s Final Showdown
Could this be a famous final performance for one of Britain’s modern greats? Huge Courtney Lawes will captain a team that will start this afternoon as favourites to win.
He has a mobile pack around him who will likely create chaos with plenty of forward passes to a ferocious backline, and keep an eye on 21-year-old redhead George Hendy on the bench.
Northampton Saints: Firbank, Freeman, Odendaal, Dingwall, Slateholm, Smith, Mitchell, Waller, Langdon, Davison, Moon, Coles, Rose (c), Pearson, Augustus.
Substitutes: Matavesi, Iyogun, Miller-Mills, Mayanavanua, Graham, Ludlum, James, Hendy.
🖤💚💛
Here are the Saints in the Gallagher Premiership Final.https://t.co/Ah10HhskAT pic.twitter.com/ZpeL0mNveN
— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) June 7, 2024
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preamble
Daniel Gallant
Today, years of suffering finally come to an end. The exact number will depend on which captain lifts English club rugby’s most prestigious prize.
If Bath’s Ben Spencer steps onto the podium as Premiership champions, it will end a 28-year drought. The famous club last won top league honours in 1996, when it was simply called Division One and the game was barely played at a professional level. For those who fill The Rec every week, it will be a long wait.
Northampton’s title drought hasn’t lasted very long, having won the Premiership in 2014, but 10 years is a long time in this sport and having been top of the league since December, they will be expected to get the job done with Phil Dawson’s free-spirited side capable of destroying any opponent when in form.
This is the first title decider in 11 years in which neither Exeter nor Saracens will play, so there is already a fresh feel to it. This could be the start of a generational rivalry that will dominate the Premier League for years to come.
But first, one of them must have their name engraved on the trophy.
Kick-off is at 3pm at Twickenham.
Stay tuned for more updates on the team, updates and more.
