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George Ford kicked all 18 points as Bath won at Franklin’s Gardens for the first time in 16 year’s
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Two Nic Groom tries for Saints in the final few minutes made it closer than it should have been
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Bath and Wales back-rower Taulupe Faletau left the field injured in the first half
Bath staved off a late fightback from Northampton before claiming a hard-fought 18-14 victory at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday.
Fly-half George Ford, whose father Mike was replaced by Todd Blackadder, scored all of the visitors points – four penalties and two drop goals – while Saints fly-half Harry Mallinder left his kicking boots at home, missing two penalties.
South African Nic Groom scored two late tries for Saints on his debut to rescue the hosts a losing bonus-point on, but Bath held on for a famous victory.
Nevertheless, the famous win was slightly dampened as Wales back row Taulupe Faletau left the field with injury early on his debut.
Bath Rugby: George Ford
Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Ahsee Tuala, 10 Harry Mallinder, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Jamie Gibson, 6 Tom Wood (c), 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Alex Waller
Replacements: 16 Charlie Clare, 17 Campese Ma’afu, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Sam Dickinson, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 George North
Bath: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Max Clark, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 George Ford, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 David Denton, 6 Matt Garvey (c), 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Charlie Ewels, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Ross Batty, 1 Nathan Catt
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 David Sisi, 20 Tom Ellis, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Jeff Williams
Date: Saturday, September 3
Venue: Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 15:30 BST (14:30 GMT)
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant Referees: Tim Wigglesworth, Ross Campbell
TMO: David Sainsbury