Summary

  • Northampton edge past 14-man Bath to win Premiership title

  • FT: Northampton 25-21 Bath

  • Bath's Obano shown red card on 22 minutes for high tackle

  • Freeman, Sleightholme & Mitchell cross for Saints; Du Toit & Muir for Bath

  • Saints' first title since 2014; Bath last champions in 1996

Live Reporting

Steve Mather

  1. Line-ups - both teams unchanged

    Northampton v Bath (15:00 BST)

    Bath players arrive at TwickenhamGetty Images

    An 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' mentality from both coaches as neither team makes any changes from last week's semi-final victories.

    Northampton: Furbank; Freeman, Odendaal, Dingwall, Sleightholme; Smith, Mitchell; Waller, Langdon, Davison, Moon, Coles, Lawes (c), Pearson, Augustus.

    Replacements: Matavesi, Iyogun, Mills, Mayanavanua, Graham, Ludlam, James, Hendy.

    Bath: Gallagher; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Redpath, Muir; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, Du Toit, Roux, Ewels, Hill, Underhill, Barbeary.

    Replacements: Annett, Schoeman, Stuart, Stooke, Bayliss, Schreuder, Bailey, Reid.

    Referee: Christophe Ridley

  2. Northampton v Bath (15:00 BST)

    Time for the team news.

    And there's not too much to report...

  3. It's a sell-out

    Northampton v Bath (15:00 BST)

    Bath fans outside TwickenhamGetty Images

    Around 82,000 fans will be inside Twickenham this afternoon with all tickets for the showpiece sold.

    Premiership Rugby said it was the fastest ever sell-out for a final.

    This is certainly a game everyone wants to see!

  4. Friends, Romans and rugby fans

    Northampton v Bath (15:00 BST)

    The fans are in good spirits as they soak up the occasion outside Twickenham.

    As is the case for players, these days don't come around that often for supporters so you have to make the most of it.

    There are plenty displaying their club colours proudly as you would expect, with some Bath fans adopting a Roman look and the Saints supporters going for the jester style hats.

    Bath fansGetty Images
    Northampton fansGetty Images
    Bath fans taking a selfieGetty Images
    Northampton fansGetty Images

  5. Top two are worthy contenders

    Northampton v Bath (15:00 BST)

    Scoreboard at TwickenhamGetty Images

    It seems apt that these sides will compete in the grand final as they were the top two in the final Premiership table.

    They both finished on 60 points and were only marginally separated on points difference - Saints were four points better off on that front.

    The season began all the way back in mid-October, while the Rugby World Cup was still on, and while Saints v Bath might not have been the final everyone would have predicted at the beginning of the campaign they have emerged gracefully from the pack as the top contenders for the crown.

    Both also came through huge tests in last weekend's semi-finals when they got the better of serial winners Saracens and the might of Sale.

    In a season where they have been so closely-matched, there is likely to be little to choose between them again today.

  6. Who will hold their nerve?

    Northampton v Bath (15:00 BST)

    Premiership Rugby trophy at TwickenhamRex Features

    And so it all comes down to this.

    The best two teams in the land this season are ready to face each other at a sold out Twickenham, with both looking to end long Premiership trophy droughts.

    Saints are seeking a first title since 2014, while for Bath you have to go back almost 30 years for their last domestic title.

    After 80 minutes, maybe a little more if needed, one of these two sides will be clutching the big prize.

    Stick with us to find out who.