Yahoo News Bath Rugby player ratings from Gallagher Premiership final defeat to Northampton Saints - 'World-class'
Bath Rugby were beaten 25-21 by Northampton Saints in the final of the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership after losing prop Beno Obano to a red card for a high tackle in just the 22nd minute.
Saints scored two quick tries after going a man up with the scores at 3-3 following a penalty from Finn Russell and a drop goal from Fin Smith, touching down through Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme, but they were unable to pull away, with Thomas du Toit touching down for Bath with a short-range drive. Russell and Smith then traded penalties before Will Muir dotted down to level the scores at 18-18. Russell missed the conversion but then added a penalty to poke his side in front and finish with an 11-point haul. But a 72nd-minute try from Saints and England scrum-half star Alex Mitchell sealed the silverware for the table-toppers, with George Furbank adding the conversion.
Rugby writers Sam Jess and John Evely take a closer look at the individual performances from the Bath players....
15 Matt Gallagher - 7
In his last game for Bath before heading to Benetton, Gallagher almost made the perfect start but could not gather the ball after it did not sit up for him as Bath pounced on a Northampton mistake in the opening exchanges and Muir kicked through for him to chase. The luck was not with Gallagher as another kick in behind; this time off Spencer on the angle again did not sit up for him, rolling out into touch. He was excellent in the air as always, but his final game for Bath ended with heartbreak.
Crucially unable to pin Saints into the corner with a couple of penalty kicks to touch.
14 Joe Cokanasiga - 6
One of the many playing in his first final, Cokanasiga had a busy day in the defence against a very quick Northampton attack and made a great tackle to stop a Saints attack. A lovely line off Russell allowed the winger to break away before setting up a penalty, giving Bath the perfect start to the second half. A drop with his side looking for a crucial score cost them dear as Bath could not hold onto their slender lead heading into the last 10 minutes. Disappointingly away from the action for much of the contest through little fault of his own.
13 Ollie Lawrence - 7
Back at Twickenham for the first time since the Six Nations, Lawrence caught the kick-off before sending it downfield for a decent gain to had his side a steady start. A surge off a lineout close to the line gave Bath some good momentum before his side won a penalty. His defence was crucial with Bath down one man, while his attacking game remained bright with the limited ball his side had. After a solid day in defensive, his missed tackle on George Hendy proved crucial as he ran away before passing to Alex Mitchell to break Bath's hearts.
12 Cameron Redpath - 6
It was a mixed day for Redpath with some decent carries, but he was unable to find the link to play with Russell, which was key for his side in the run to the final. However, his defensive work was mega coming up with one crucial turnover after a perfect display of jackalling.
11 Will Muir - 8
The Horse was bright early on, chipping ahead after a drop from Ollie Sleightholme to create an early change; the winger was then breaking away down the touchline but could not evade Tommy Freeman's grasp after Bath countered down the field following another turnover. A sensational catch gave Bath some much-needed momentum after a challenging passage. Sadly, the shift did not last as he was unable to stop Sleightholme from regathering his kick, as the Saints got try number two. The winger then made a typical attempt at the ball in the air from a cross-field kick from Ben Spencer before his opposite winger, George Hendy, fumbled it, allowing Muir to drop on the ball and score a great try.
10 Finn Russell - 8
The magician. Having scuffed his first shot at goal horribly, Russell nailed the simplest of kicks to give Bath the first points of the final. His attack work and passing skills were excellent as Bath looked to go inside and out of the Saint's defence. A 50-22 and a pretty solid kicking day showed Russell's development at Bath. Add a monster tackle on his line, and he had a great outing even if the result did not go their way.
9 Ben Spencer - 9
Captaining Bath in a final for the first time, Spencer was heroic. He kept the pressure on Alex Mitchell for the duration of the match, stopping the flow of the Saints multiphase. Some decent hits and brilliant box kicks showed Spencer was pouring everything into the final, but his first final with Bath ended in disappointing fashion despite a stunning cross-field kick to set up Muir's try. Had another clever low grubber kick in behind to Muir bounce differently, Bath could have been champions.
1 Beno Obano - 3
The prop was strong in the opening exchanges, winning a penalty from a scrum around halfway, but his day was cut short with a red card after 20 minutes for a high shot on Juarno Augustus.
2 Tom Dunn - 7
Mr Bath Tom Dunn had a strong game with an action-all-areas performance in tricky circumstances. His lineout was strong, while his carrying was, as usual, powerful self.
3 Thomas du Toit - 10
The South African was crucial for Bath, giving the power in the scrum and the maul before a typical close-range carry gave his side their first try. A turnover moments later, and suddenly, Bath were having some joy after a tough start. With the prop signed due to his ability to play both sides, he was asked to do just that on the biggest stage, switching from tighthead to loosehead midway through the second half. Another turnover and du Toit was having a stellar outing. It might have been in vain but du Toit ended his first year at Bath with one of his best performances.
4 Quinn Roux - 6
It was a mixed day for Roux as his defence was heroic, but his discipline was poor at times, with some poor penalties.
5 Charlie Ewels - 8
One of only two players to be at Bath the last time they made the final in 2015, Ewels put in a huge hit on George Furbank early on to make a statement. His defensive work around the field was immense, and when the Saints came attacking with venom, a crucial turnover with 15 minutes to go gave his side so much belief despite being a man down. Should have played his way onto the plane to New Zealand this summer with England.
6 Ted Hill - 8
Two years ago, he was about to endure the worst summer of his rugby life at Worcester. Now, he was playing some of his best stuff at Twickenham. In tricky conditions, Hill was everywhere: clearing out rucks, running with the ball and chopping down Saints for fun.
7 Sam Underhill - 10
Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan labelled it Underhill's best game for the club since the South African's arrival two years ago.
The backrower is no stranger to Twickenham and he looked at home on the big stage. Underhill was putting in some monster shots, forcing mistakes from the Saints. The flanker was then making crucial turnovers. A game full of grit and heroic defence gave Bath every hope of winning despite the red card, but it was not to be for Underhill and Bath.
World-class.
8 Alfie Barbeary - 6
Keeping the eight shirt, Barbeary made a bright start with some decent carries but was the sacrificial lamb for Obano's red card as he made way for Juan Schoeman.
Replacements
16 Niall Annett - 7
On with 35 minutes to go, Annett was a livewire off the bench with some brilliant interventions as he tried to help Bath to the title.
17 Juan Schoeman - 4
On far earlier than expected due to Obano's red card, the prop had a tough start slipping off Furbank, who raced away before giving the ball for Freeman's try. It was becoming sadly a tough afternoon as the scrum became a weakness for the side in his time on the field and he was replaced midway through the second half.
18 Will Stuart - 6
A mixed bag off the bench for Stuart; while some scrums went his way, others did not, as Bath could not muscle their way to victory.
19 Elliott Stooke - 7
A decent outing off the bench with some brilliant interventions at the lineout but was harshly penalised for pulling down a maul which was going nowhere. A key figure in a late break down the left wing to give Bath a late hope of winning the game.
20 Josh Bayliss - 7
21 Louis Schreuder -N/A
22 Orlando Bailey - 6
23 Miles Reid - 7
Off the bench in the final 10 minutes, Reid was key in keeping his side in the game, but it was not to be for him.
