And that's just about it for the first half as Northampton barely have time to restart before the whistle goes. Bath's defence has been immense, preventing Saints from getting any real attacking rhythm. But Jim Mallinder's side aren't out of this. Remember, they trailed Leicester 17-6 at the break last Friday night and won it at the death.

George Ford has been magnificent but he makes his first mistake here. His penalty is maybe 10 metres in from the left touchline and this time is radar is a little awry as he pushes his kick narrowly wide of the left-hand post.

Ford is at the centre of another Bath break down the left wing and finds prop David Wilson charging alongside him in support. Wilson tries to offload to Francois Louw but the flanker goes sprawling. Was he pushed? Yes says the TMO, with Saints skipper Tom wood the guilty party. Bath have a penalty just before the break...

Northampton go through the phases but they can't break through. Courtney Lawes thinks he's managed it but he loses the ball trying to offload. George Ford brings the ball away for Bath and chips the ball through but was he caught late? George North gathers but the blue, black and white hooped shirts are all over him in a flash.

Stephen Myler finds touch inside the Bath 22 to give Saints field position but Bath win their line-out at the tail and scrum-half Micky Young boots clear to relieve the pressure.

BBC Sport's Chris Osborne at Cardiff Arms Park: "There's a brass band giving it some welly among the Bath fans. They just got a bit louder. They're not too shabby either."

Graham McKechnie
BBC Radio Northampton

"It was Saints who appeared to be putting pressure on but one excellent tackle turned the ball over. What wonderful defence from Bath."

Image source, Getty Images

Stunning defence from Bath as they repel wave after wave of Northampton attack. A big hit by Paul James puts Saints on the back foot before Jonathan Joseph stops Ken Pisi in his tracks. The ball goes loose and Anthony Watson is on it in a flash. There's no catching the Bath winger and he canters in under the posts, giving Ford the simplest of conversions.

Saints win the scrum and Samu Manoa charges towards the line. Francois Louw turns the ball over but Bath's respite is brief as they are penalised at another scrum and Stephen Myler slots over the resulting penalty.

Saints turn the ball over and hack it forward. Nick Abendanon can't deal with it and Lee Dickson picks it up five metres out. Alex Corbisiero tries to force his way over but is held up so Saints will have a scrum five metres out.

The way Ford is playing the watching England coach Stuart Lancaster must be desperately disappointed that he's unlikely to be able to travel to New Zealand. Once more he turns the Saints defence with his boot to give Bath field position. Interestingly, he has now scored Bath's last 43 points.

Paul Diggin
BBC Radio Northampton

"Bath look really strong in the maul so far. They aren't playing too much rugby in their own half. You can see what they're trying to do; looking to put Saints in the corner and put them under pressure with set-pieces."

Ford is kicking magnificently out of hand for Bath. This time a lovely sliced effort off his right foot sails over the Northampton defence and skids out of play inside the Saints' 22. More pressure on the Northampton defence.

Distance won't be a problem for George Ford this time as the ball is deep inside the Saints 22. And the angle doesn't prove an issue either as Ford splits the sticks and Bath nose ahead once more.

Dave Attwood wins the line-out for Bath and their driving maul marches towards the line. They think they're over but the TMO says the ball is short. But Bath still have a chance for points as they are awarded a penalty instead...

Great attacking opportunity for Bath. George North is penalised for pushing, George Ford kicks to the corner and Bath have a line-out five metres from the Saints line.

George Ford feeds Nick Abendanon just outside his own 22 and the Bath full-back produces a lovely little chip-and-chase to leave Northampton racing backwards. But Stephen Myler is across to cover and snuffs out the danger.

Bath are penalised at the scrum and Northampton have the perfect chance to level. It's a simple kick for Stephen Myler, 20 metres out and just to the right of the posts and the fly-half makes no mistake.

The first scrum of the game goes to Bath inside their own 22. It will be interesting to see what happens at the set-piece as this game is being played on an artificial pitch - the first time a final of this standing has been played on such a surface.

Saints are penalised on halfway for not rolling away at the breakdown and Bath have a penalty. It's a tester for George Ford but he has the range as his kick is straight and true. First blood to Bath.