Bath Rugby player ratings from Northampton Saints win - 'Turned a weakness into a strength'

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Bath Rugby turned the tables on Gallagher Premiership champions Northampton as they opened their league campaign with a 38-16 victory at the Recreation Ground.

Three months after losing narrowly to Saints in the final, Johann van Graan’s team produced an impressive display on opening night. And they triumphed in bonus-point fashion as tries from wing Joe Cokanasiga, flanker Ted Hill, scrum-half Ben Spencer, centre Ollie Lawrence and replacement Jaco Coetzee saw them home. Fly-half Finn Russell kicked five conversions and a penalty. Flanker Josh Kemeny touched down on his Premiership debut for Saints, while Fin Smith booted a conversion and three penalties, yet they never seriously threatened to leave the west country with maximum points.

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READ MORE:Bath show why they are favourites for the title in victory against champions Northampton Saints

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Rugby writer Olly D'Arcy takes a closer look at the individual performances from the Bath players...

15 Tom de Glanville - 7

Solid under the high ball to start the game, and did well in the early territory game. A superb carry which created an overlap for the second try, and he was solid once more in the second half. Nice to have back at fullback.

14 Joe Cokanasiga - 8

In the right place at the right time to get the first try of the Premiership, crashing through a couple of tackles in the process. Also, put in some huge hits in what was a physical first half. Not as much for him in the second half after his try, but it was a promising showing as he will look to stack up the tries.

13 Ollie Lawrence - 7

In what was an extremely prosperous opening 40 for the Bath backs, Lawrence was, maybe surprisingly, the quietest back. However, you can't keep the England international quiet, and he was able to secure the bonus point try getting onto a Will Butt offload and deliver the hammer blow.

12 Will Butt - 9

In what is a position full of injuries for the Blue, Black & White, Butt stepped up and took his opportunity with both hands. He had a nice carry to start the first half, and then made two defenders chase shadows for the second try as he skipped through midfield. His intensity with more carries was superb again as he made metres well, and then he was instrumental in the fourth try with a superb offload off the floor. With those injury concerns in the centre, Johann van Graan and Bath fans will be thrilled with that performance.

He turned a perceived area of weakness into one of strength.

11 Will Muir - 7

Was also a little quiet in the first half alongside Lawrence, but he almost created a super try with a chip and chase, but his final pass let him down. His wing was not utilised as much, so he was kept in check throughout the game. Plenty more to come from 'The Horse' throughout the season, I'm sure.

10 Finn Russell - 8

He may have missed an early penalty, but as always, the Scottish international was a dynamo and was pulling the strings. His passing was just superb, and he helped Bath dominate the kicking game in the first half. He continued with great tempo and attacking play in the second half, and he was perfect from the tee after that first miss. A classy performance again.

9 Ben Spencer - 9

With Steve Borthwick in the crowd, Spencer put in a huge claim for that scrum-half jersey in what was a sublime game for the captain, earning him a deserved man-of-the-match performance. His tempo at the back of the breakdown was quality as he controlled the game along with Russell. His support play for the second try was lovely, and then the dummy he sold for the third try was just sublime, sending Saints' defence to the other side of the pitch to give him a gap to slice through. He continued with his control in the second half, capping off a simply stunning opening account for the Bath captain.

1 Beno Obano - 7

There were some good early carries from the prop as he returned from his ban after his red card in the final. Some good early carries gave the Bath attack a platform to build off of, and the Bath scrum won the penalty battle over the Saints, another key factor to their win.

2 Tom Dunn - 6

The driving maul helped the second try, and it gave Spencer the option for his dummy try too. However, Dunn was quite quiet throughout the game, but he was a part of the defence that held strong throughout the game and only gave up one try.

3 Will Stuart - 6

Was a part of the scrum that was better than the Saints pack. But he did not have the carries that Obano had to get over the gain line. But it was a solid performance, with no poor performances from Bath players whatsoever.

4 Quinn Roux - 7

The maul was not in much use for that first half after Bath notched three tries in the first 40, so there was not a lot of Roux to be seen. But that is how he likes it. He stayed strong along with the defence to keep Northampton from scoring a try, and along with Charlie Ewels, he was the engine room that kept Bath motoring on.

5 Charlie Ewels - 8

There was a first half injury scare for the second-rower, but he carried on. And thank goodness he did. Like Roux, Ewels was fantastic doing the dirty work, and some of the carries and tackles that were put in by the England international were vital in keeping the Saints at bay.

6 Ted Hill - 8

There is always something superb about Hill, whenever he plays, and there was no exception against the Saints. He had a huge carry that led to the try, and then he was brilliant in support to sit on Spencer's shoulder and earn the second try. Again, some stout defence was just what Bath needed, and he continues to show why he is one of the biggest players in this Bath squad.

7 Miles Reid - 7

It was a big game for the back-rower as he earned his 100th appearance for the Blue, Black & White, and it was arguably one of his best performances. Van Graan said it was the best 50 minutes from Reid that he has seen, and some of the breakdown work and tackles that he is well known for were on show once again. He may not have got some of the glory that Hill did, but Reid shows what a quality player he is.

8 Alfie Barbeary - 6

Out of all the back-rowers, Barbeary was kept the quietest. His fantastic carries were not on show as much as he would have liked, something that he was unbelievable at last year. There is plenty to come from the number 8, but out of all the Bath players, his evening was perhaps the slowest of them all.

Replacements

16 Niall Annett - 6

17 Francois van Wyk - 6

18 Archie Griffin - 6

19 Jacques du Plessis - 6

20 Guy Pepper - 7

21 Louis Schreuder - 6

22 Orlando Bailey - 6

23 Jaco Coetzee - 7