Denny Solomona has been loitering with intent so far and almost got a chance a moment ago but couldn't draw the ball in for Sale.

Falcons' pack is showing its mettle tonight, phenomenal strength.

The set-piece is proving a real tussle, neither side willing to give way at the scrum.

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After an early flurry of points it's quietened down on the scoreboard at the AJ Bell.

That said there's been some meaty defensive work from both. Fiercely competitive.

David Sisi
Bath flanker on BBC Radio Bristol

We've got to be pleased. The set piece needs a bit of tidying up, but we're the team with momentum, watching our phase play has been really good.

That sort of momentum is infectious, if we can come back out in the second half with that sort of endeavour, same mentality, we should wrap this game up.

It was a bright start from Harlequins with a try after just three minutes but the hosts responded as Tom Vardnell crossed and became the competition's all-time leading try-scoring. 

The half finished with a yellow card to Ryan Bevington and that could prove to be a decisive moment, we'll have to wait and see after the break. 

On the stroke of half-time Bristol's Ryan Bevington sees yellow for a high tackle on Ruaridh Jackson.

Needless to say the sin-binning is something that Bristol could do without as they'll need to tackle the opening throws of the second half with a man disadvantage.

Northampton badly needed that penalty to take to the break after being on the back-foot for the final 15 minutes of the half. They have looked a little disjointed but only 10 points down are still in the game.

But Bath will be far more pleased over the half-time lemons with three first-half tries through Paul Grant, Semesa Rokoduguni and a penalty try, giving them a strong position.

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Something for Northampton on the stroke of half-time. Nafi Tuitavake gallops from line-out ball towards the Bath 22 and not for the first time tonight, the home side are penalised in that region at the breakdown.

Another straightforward kick for Stephen Myler.

Bristol are pinged for not rolling away and Ruaridh Jackson gladly steps up to the mark and knocks over the three points. 

There's one minute to go before the break now at Ashton Gate.  

Both sides are cancelling each other at the moment and with just a couple of minutes before half time they each know that a few more points may swing momentum nicely in their favour. 

Newcastle Falcons failed to release at the ruck and Sale take advantage from the tee through Will Addison again.

Decent effort from a player forced into kicking duties by some late withdrawals before kick-off.

Will Addison strokes a penalty through from 40-odd yards out to put Sale on the board.

Response from the home side who conceded a try in pretty much the first phases of the game.

The Bath forwards have carried superbly so far in this game. They charge back into the Saints 22, the play come left and Tom Homer is over the line - but Ahsee Tuala gets his body underneath to save the score. A fine try-saving tackle.

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The Premiership's northern outposts, Sale and Newcastle, celebrate and commemorate the life of the late South Africa scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen in poignant fashion with a minute's silence. Pindrop stuff.

Chilly night, Joel Hodgson swings his boot and clips a short kick off that Sale pluck out of the air.

Here we go.

Alas Tom Varndell actually injured himself in the act of scoring so he leaves the field and makes way for David Lemi. 

Needless to say his replacement knows his way to the try-line too... no further points as yet at Ashton Gate after half-an-hour

Image source, Rex Features

They pack down again and Wayne Barnes doesn't like the Bath front row once more, you sense a little frustration in the Gloucestershire official. Northampton back on the front foot and Bath are penalised for not rolling away on the 22 almost bang in front of the posts.

Easy pickings for Stephen Myler, he climbs to fourth on the list of all-time Premiership points scorers.

Northampton have a clear edge at the scrum and a second penalty of the game goes against Nathan Catt. 

Stephen Myler puts Saints back into the Bath 22, again they have room to use up the right but a weak pass to Ben Foden results in a knock-on and move over. 

But this time the penalty goes against Kieran Brookes and Bath can clear. Fairly even halfway through the opening period.