Summary

  1. Bye for now...published at 17:50 1 June

    FT: Bath 31-23 Sale

    Everything is now set for the Premiership Grand Final.

    It'll be first versus second, as table-toppers Northampton take on Bath at Twickenham on Saturday, 8 June.

    Both semi-finals have been crackers, with Saints getting past Saracens last night before Bath did the business against a fierce Sale Sharks outfit at The Rec today.

    Anything close to the drama offered up in the 160 minutes over the past two days could make it a real classic.

    We will be back for coverage of the decider next week, but for now it's goodbye.

  2. Get Involvedpublished at 17:49 1 June

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Adam Nunn: I used to think in-flight wifi was a bad idea but now I think it is the best invention in the world since rugby!! Been able to read the text commentary as I fly across the Atlantic!! What a result - we are off to Twickenham! Allez Bath!!

    Pleasure to have you with us Adam.

  3. Postpublished at 17:47 1 June

    FT: Bath 31-23 Sale

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    It’ll be a celebration next week of everything good about the Premiership.

    I’m looking forward to it, it should be brilliant.

  4. 'We back ourselves'published at 17:44 1 June

    FT: Bath 31-23 Sale

    Finn Russell and Ben Spencer celebrate Bath's win over SaleImage source, Getty Images

    Finn Russell, speaking to TNT Sports: "Credit to Sale they are brilliant team and put us under a lot of pressure.

    "I think it shows the character we have built. We have belief and back ourselves we knew at some point we were going to get a chance and we did.

    "There’s tough times always when the margins are small but the trust and belief we have built in the season showed itself today.

    "With the boys around me out there it makes it much easier for me."

  5. Postpublished at 17:41 1 June

    FT: Bath 31-23 Sale

    Today's win means Bath are heading to their first Premiership Grand Final for nine years.

    They lost that 2015 decider against Saracens and then suffered years of decline.

    That defeat also meant that glory for the Blue, Black and Whites remains consigned to an bygone era.

    Bath are now looking for their first Premiership crown and first top-flight title since rugby union turned professional three decades ago.

  6. 'You have to enjoy it'published at 17:38 1 June

    FT: Bath 31-23 Sale

    Martin Haag
    Ex-Bath forward on BBC Radio Bristol

    Semi-finals and finals don’t come around very often, you have to enjoy it.

    It’s never easy so when you get to a final you’ve got to take it in.

    The players are playing with a smile on their faces.

    It’s been a fantastic crowd, they are still here enjoying it.

  7. Postpublished at 17:33 1 June

    FT: Bath 31-23 Sale

    Ben Spencer reserved special praise for the fans there by saying "they have been with us throughout".

    It's worth remembering that Bath finished rock bottom of the Premiership table just two years ago.

    After just two years at the helm, head of rugby Johann van Graan has them on English club rugby's biggest stage and just 80 minutes from an historic title.

  8. 'What a day'published at 17:31 1 June

    FT: Bath 31-23 Sale

    Ben Spencer, speaking to TNT Sports: "I couldn’t hear myself think. What a day. The fans have been with us throughout."

  9. 'Bath found a way'published at 17:28 1 June

    FT: Bath 31-23 Sale

    Martin Haag
    Ex-Bath forward on BBC Radio Bristol

    Sale's Ben Curry looks dejected at the final whistleImage source, Getty Images

    In the first half the momentum went one way then the other and in the second half it went scrappy but Bath found a way right at the end to come through and it was superb performance.

    Fair play to Sale they stuck at it and it was so close at the end.

    I hope Bath take that first half into next week because we know Northampton will be running the ball from all over.

    Look at this crowd now it's absolutely fantastic to see.

  10. Get Involvedpublished at 17:25 1 June

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Jon Hayes: Yessssssssssss - the West Country takeover of London is coming!!!!

    Stevo, Cheltenham: Wasps have been very well represented over the last few days. Taylor, Willis, MacIntyre, Barbeary, Blackett.

  11. Postpublished at 17:21 1 June

    FT: Bath 31-23 Sale

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Quite frankly I’ve never heard The Rec like that.

    A new generation of fans are experiencing the start of what they will hope will be a new period of success.

    They’ve got a good day out to look forward to.

  12. Postpublished at 17:18 1 June

    FT: Bath 31-23 Sale

    Sara Orchard
    Rugby union commentator on BBC Radio 5 live

    Bath are going to Twickenham!

  13. Full-timepublished at 17:18 1 June

    Bath 31-23 Sale

    Bath fans celebrateImage source, Rex Features

    Bath are heading to the Premiership Grand Final!

    Finn Russell was superb today with 16 points for the host, whose tries came from Ted Hill, Beno Obano and Niall Annett.

    Sale fought their way back into it, but fell just short of a second successive Grand Final appearance/

  14. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Bath 31-23 Sale

    Ted Hill comes up with a huge shot in the middle of the park.

    George Ford popped a pass up to a team-mate, but Hill was right up with the kick chase and knocked the ball loose with his crunching tackle.

    That has the Bath faithful truly believing they are Twickenham-bound now.

  15. Postpublished at 76 mins

    Bath 31-23 Sale

    Less than five minutes remain.

    Sale Sharks are on the attack. They have everything to play for right now.

  16. 'Powerhouse drive'published at 17:12 1 June

    Bath 31-23 Sale

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    The Rec goes nuts!

    Everybody joined in and it’s a powerhouse drive from almost the entire team and as it spun around the Bath 14-man maul accelerated over the line.

    Sale have got to go for it.

  17. Try: Bath 31-23 Salepublished at 74 mins

    Niall Annett, conversion Finn Russell

    Bath take a huge step toward the Twickenham final!

    The Rec erupts with euphoria as replacement Niall Annett powers over the line from the maul.

    Finn Russell edges the hosts ever closer to the decider with the subsequent conversion.

  18. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Bath 24-23 Sale

    Bath have Sale scrambling in defence.

    Joe Cokanasiga was chasing the kick to the corner, and his pressure forces Sale to rush the ball dead.

    Bath with the line-out close to the line now.

    The home fans roar with anticipation...

  19. 'Chance missed'published at 17:09 1 June

    Bath 24-23 Sale

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    At the crucial moment the ball fell off the tee so he had to restart his routine.

    He just dragged it left of the post and it’s chance missed.

  20. Missed penaltypublished at 72 mins

    Bath 24-23 Sale

    Finn Russell is looking to punish Sale from the tee again.

    The Sharks were caught offside on this occasion, but the fly-half fails to hit the mark.

    It remains a one-point game with eight minutes remaining.