Northampton Saints face Bath at Twickenham in the finale of this season’s Gallagher Premiership on Saturday. What can we expect from the biggest game of the domestic English rugby calendar?
2024 Gallagher Premiership Grand Final
Northampton Saints v Bath
Saturday 8 June 2024 – 16:00
Twickenham
Northampton Saints 54/100 | Draw 23/1 | Bath 31/20
Handicap
Northampton (-4.5) 17/20 | Bath (+4.5) 17/20
Phil Dowson’s decision to bulk up his players in the off-season has worked wonders, with that added muscle elevating the club from a fourth-place finish last year to the summit of the standings. A run to the Champions Cup semi-finals, 90-0 demolition of Gloucester and three wins over defending champions Saracens – the last of which coming during the semi-finals – are just some of Saints’ most memorable achievements this season. Capping it off by claiming what would be just their second-ever domestic English title would be the stuff of dreams.
Looking to become the tournament’s outright second-most successful club with what would be a seventh crown, Bath will hold nothing back. Huge investment from owner Bruce Craig and major sponsor James Dyson has helped attract some real quality to the Rec as the Somerset club look to end their 16-year wait for a trophy – and earn a first Premiership title since 1996.
Saints legend Courtney Lawes will be going out guns blazing in his final appearance for his beloved side, while the likes of flyhalf Fin Smith, who kicked 17 points last week, will need to bring his A game coming up against his namesake.
Finn Russell managed 16 points in his semi-final Man of the Match showing against Sale Sharks, and his experience and bag of tricks will be key to unleashing Joe Cokanasiga and Will Muir out wide.
Verdict: Northampton Saints 54/100
Saints have been the team to beat all season, even if they did finish on the same amount of log points as their final opponents. Get on them to edge out Bath and make Premiership history for just the second time.
