Saints win RU Premiership after ten year wait
There's a victory parade in Northampton this afternoon
Last updated 9th Jun 2024
Northampton were crowned Gallagher Premiership champions at Twickenham after a late try by Alex Mitchell secured a 25-21 victory.
Bath had to play three quarters of the game with a man down after Beno Obano's red card for a high tackle on Juarno Augustus.
Tommy Freeman, Ollie Sleightholme and Alex Mitchell scored the tries for Saints.
Northampton have been the Premiership's standout team this season, operating with multiple strings to their bow but primarily a cutting edge in attack, yet they went into their shells as Bath took control.
It took the tackle-busting ability of 21-year-old replacement wing George Hendy and support work of Mitchell to eventually break their opponents, who saw Sam Underhill lead a remarkable defensive effort.
Hendy was named man of the match as Northampton said a triumphant farewell to Courtney Lawes, Alex Waller, Lewis Ludlam and Alex Moon, but Bath's side was also full of worthy performances including half-backs Ben Spencer and Russell.
Farewell to captain, Courtney Lawes
Courtney Lawes revealed his immediate reaction to Northampton's Gallagher Premiership title triumph was annoyance that they had played so poorly.
Lawes, playing his last game for the club before joining Brive, admitted they had won ugly but insisted they were worthy champions given their performances over the course of the season.
"I couldn't believe we had actually won it because we tried so hard to lose," the Northampton captain said.
"At the end of the game I was actually pretty pissed off. Slowly it has kind of settled in. We did what we needed to. We got across the finish line and that's what rugby is.
"Sometimes it doesn't look pretty and it certainly didn't today, but we won and that's what matters. I think we've deserved it throughout the season."
It will take a bit of time to set in
Lawes signed off his 17-year Northampton career with his 283rd appearance and a victory made possible by George Hendy's late break and the support line run by match winner Alex Mitchell.
"It will take a bit of time to set in. You always focus on the next thing in rugby because the next job is always so important," Lawes said.
"There are a lot of things I will never do again at the Saints, but I owe the club so much. It won't be the last time I contribute something to the club.
"I'm just really happy to have been able to deliver what the club deserves, really."
This afternoon (Sunday 9th June) there's a victory parade in Northampton to celebrate their first title win for ten years.