One round stands between Bath and a Play-Off spot

Bath Rugby host Northampton Saints this Saturday as they aim to secure a Play-Off berth for the first time since 2020.

Bath dispatched Newcastle Falcons 28-17 last time out and will look to pick up where they left off when they welcome Northampton this weekend.

Their previous encounter this season with Saints ended in a 24-18 defeat and with a home play-off match a possibility if Bath win and Saracens lose, they will be especially motivated.

Northampton arrive in Bath fresh off a dominant display against Gloucester Rugby, winning 90-0 and are assured of a home match, though they need two points from their trip to Bath Rugby to be guaranteed the number one seed.

TV: Live on TNT, kick-off 3.05pm

Referee: Christophe Ridley

Assistant Referees: Anthony Woodthorpe & Andrew Jackson

TMO: Ian Tempest

Bath Rugby: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Ted Hill, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Josh Bayliss, 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Will Muir, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Matt Gallagher

Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Alfie Barbeary, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Miles Reid

Northampton Saints: 15 James Ramm, 14 Tom Seabrook, 13 Tom Litchfield, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Rory Hutchinson, 9 Tom James, 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Elliot Millar Mills, 4 Temo Mayanavanua, 5 Tom Lockett, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Lewis Ludlam (c), 8 Sam Graham

Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Chunya Munga, 20 Tom Pearson, 21 Archie McParland, 22 Charlie Savala, 23 Toby Thame

Oval Insights

Bath Rugby

• Ted Hill crossed the gainline with all seven of his carries last weekend. He also made three dominant tackles and stole a lineout.
• Bath have the lowest success rate in the Premiership off the tee (68.2%).
• However, they’ve retained a league-high average of 4.6 kicks in play per 80 minutes this season.
  Bath have the second-highest rate of gainline success in the league (42.2%).
• Bath have conceded the second fewest penalties (9.1 per 80 minutes) but the second-most turnovers (14.2 per 80 minutes) this season.

Northampton Saints

• Ollie Sleightholme scored his second hattrick of the season last weekend. He has scored five more tries than any other player this campaign (14).
• Tommy Freeman made the most offloads (six) and clean breaks (six) in Round 17. He also assisted three tries and made 190 metres.
• Alex Mitchell assisted a round-high four tries last weekend. He has now assisted more than any other player this season (11).
• Fin Smith’s goalkicking success rate is the highest among the top five point-scorers in the Premiership (82.6%). He has scored the second-most points in the league this season (132).