Johann van Graan has challenged critics to stop labeling his selections as Bath’s “second team” after a heavily rotated side pushed Gallagher Premiership leaders Northampton Saints to the brink, only to lose in the final moments at Franklin’s Gardens.
The Bath head of rugby made it clear that every player who dons the Blue, Black, and White jersey is fully capable of competing at the highest level—a fact exemplified by the 23 players involved in this pulsating 41-38 encounter.
Northampton’s Fin Smith nailed a last-second penalty to snatch victory, but Bath can take pride in their performance during this third thrilling meeting between the sides this season. Ciaran Donoghue shone on his return from a 225-day ACL injury layoff, wearing the No. 10 jersey, while young Louie Hennessey delivered his best display for the club.
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Just two weeks after Bath edged Northampton 43-41 in an Investec Champions Cup quarter-final at The Rec, both sides served up another dramatic showdown. Bath, having rested many of their top players ahead of next week’s Champions Cup semi-final against Bordeaux-Bègles, came agonizingly close to snatching a draw on the road.
Tommy Freeman, again a standout for Northampton, secured his second hat-trick of the season against Bath, replicating his earlier exploits in the 41-21 win back in December. Despite Freeman’s heroics and the hosts tallying 41 points, Bath’s spirited performance showed the club’s impressive squad depth and fighting spirit.
Post-match, van Graan expressed pride in his team’s efforts despite disappointment at the outcome, while Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson was pleased with the points but critical of defensive lapses.
Van Graan said, “Today proves the outside world should stop using phrases like ‘second team.’ We have only one squad, and we’ve backed it consistently for almost four years. No matter who starts, they deliver tough, competitive performances. Winning every match is tough, but the commitment from everyone wearing our jersey was phenomenal.”
The game began with Northampton’s captain Fraser Dingwall breaking free and setting up Fin Smith’s early try. Despite going down to 14 men after Tom Litchfield’s sin-bin, Saints regained the lead. Bath capitalized on their man advantage as Donoghue’s deft long pass found Hennessey for a simple try, leveling the scores.
After Will Muir’s yellow card for deliberate knock-on, Northampton took control again with tries from Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme, leading 26-14 at half-time.
Bath responded quickly in the second half, with Donoghue and Hennessey linking to set up scrum-half Tom Carr-Smith’s score. The tries flowed in an exhilarating back-and-forth contest. Northampton extended their lead with Freeman’s second and third tries, but Bath fought back hard, securing a bonus point after a strong break from Dan Frost led to Tom de Glanville’s try, and Archie Griffin’s touchdown leveled the match at 31-31.
With only minutes left, Kepu Tuipulotu crossed near the posts to put Bath ahead, but a high tackle by Enoch Opoku-Gyamfu led to a penalty that Smith calmly converted, sealing a narrow Saints victory.
Both teams showcased immense skill and heart in a match that lived up to its billing, with Bath proving unequivocally that their squad—no matter the lineup—is more than capable of matching the league’s best.