Northampton Saints soared to the top of the Premiership Rugby 2025 table with a commanding 41-21 victory over Bath at the Recreation Ground, ending the home side’s 11-game unbeaten streak. England internationals Tommy Freeman and Henry Pollock starred for the visitors, combining for five tries in a match that showcased Northampton’s attacking depth and clinical finishing.

Freeman and Pollock Lead the Charge

Freeman, making his first start for Northampton since October, produced a stunning hat-trick of tries, slicing through Bath’s defense with pace and precision. Pollock, also representing England, added two more scores as Northampton dominated large portions of the contest, particularly in the second half where they scored 27 unanswered points.

Archie McParland contributed a try as well, helping Saints end Bath’s remarkable home record in the Premiership, which had stood since October 2024. Despite Bath’s efforts, with tries from Thomas du Toit (2) and Tom Dunn, Northampton’s superior execution and relentless pressure proved decisive.

Match Highlights

• Northampton Saints 41 – Tries: Freeman 3, McParland, Pollock 2 | Cons/Pens: Belleau 4
• Bath 21 – Tries: Du Toit 2, Dunn | Cons: Russell 3

Northampton’s attacking threat was evident from the opening minutes, as Freeman opened the scoring with a fine diagonal break in the third minute. Bath briefly took the lead in the first half with Du Toit and Dunn crossing the line, but Northampton’s composure under pressure kept them level heading into the break.

Tactical Overview

Despite making ten changes to their starting lineup, Northampton executed a high-intensity, attacking game plan, capitalizing on Bath’s mistakes. Multiple tries were disallowed after television match official (TMO) checks, reflecting the visitors’ dominance and consistent pressure.

Key moments included:

• Ed Prowse sin-bin (12 minutes), yet Northampton maintained composure
• Freeman’s hat-trick, including a final score against a fatigued Bath defense
• Pollock’s second try, powered through a maul after a deliberate knock-on by Bath replacement Dan Frost

Northampton’s ability to convert pressure into points highlights their resurgence this season and positions them as genuine title contenders in the Premiership.

Coaches’ Reactions

Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan acknowledged Northampton’s superiority:

“Well done to Northampton, they were the better team on the day. We weren’t good enough and the biggest factor was defending penalties, which cost us field position. Northampton put us under massive pressure in the second half.”

Northampton head coach Sam Vesty praised his side’s mindset and attacking intent:

“The mindset for 80 minutes was to keep attacking, and the boys never wavered. We haven’t won here since 2022, so it’s a tough place to come and get a result. I’m proud of the team for backing themselves and executing the game plan.”

Implications for the Premiership

The win propels Northampton Saints to first place in the Premiership Rugby table, leapfrogging Bath, who now drop to second. With Freeman and Pollock firing, Northampton demonstrates a potent combination of pace, physicality, and skill, making them a formidable side heading into the remainder of the season.

The victory also marks a rare defeat for Bath at the Recreation Ground, showcasing the Saints’ resilience and ability to perform away from home under high-pressure conditions.

---

Northampton Saints vs Bath Line-Ups

Northampton Saints: Hendy; Todaro, Freeman, Hutchinson, Ramm; Belleau, McParland; Iyogun, Smith, Davison; Prowse, Munga, Chick (c), Graham, Pollock
Replacements: Walker, Scola, Millar Mills, Benson, Brown, James, Lumley, Sleightholme
Sin bin: Prowse (12)

Bath: De Glanville; Cokanasiga, Lawrence, Ojomoh, Arundell; Russell, Spencer (c); Obano, Dunn, du Toit; Roux, Molony, Bayliss, Underhill, Reid
Replacements: Frost, Van Wyk, Griffin, Hill, Pepper, Carr-Smith, Carreras, Harris
Sin bin: Frost (65)

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys