Northampton Saints player ratings vs Bath | 2026/27 Gallagher PREM

Northampton Saints player ratings: Northampton Saints produced a scarcely believable exhibition of attacking rugby to beat Bath 71-48 at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday, with both sides securing try bonus points before half-time.

Bath repeatedly carved Saints open during a 55-point first half, but Northampton reached another level after the break. Alex Mitchell orchestrated proceedings at a frightening tempo, Alex Coles rampaged around the field and Ollie Sleightholme finished with a hat-trick, 151 metres and 11 defenders beaten in one of the great individual PREM displays.

15 James Pater – 8.5
Another major statement from the 19-year-old. His long pass was a crucial part of Sleightholme’s superb first try before he showed serious pace to punish Carreras’ fumble and run in from 50 metres. Added a strong clearout in the build-up to another outstanding team score and finished with 90 metres and four defenders beaten from eight carries.

14 Tommy Freeman – 8.5
A constant threat. His brilliant one-handed offload helped keep the move alive for Sleightholme’s first, before collecting his own grubber to apply the pressure that produced Bayliss’ yellow card. Scored twice, produced two line breaks and two offloads, and even won a late breakdown penalty.

13 Rory Hutchinson – 8.5
His pull-back pass for Smith’s opening try was sublime, holding Bath’s aggressive defence before releasing his fly-half into the gap. Made another line break in the build-up to Sleightholme’s second and constantly helped Saints move the point of attack. Ten carries for 31 metres, though two missed tackles offered Bath opportunities.

12 Fraser Dingwall – 8.5
Saw a six-on-two developing and backed himself, throwing the dummy and strolling through from 25 metres for his try. Added six carries for 27 metres and won a turnover, providing his usual understated connective work in a Northampton backline operating at extraordinary speed.

11 Ollie Sleightholme – 9.5
Sensational. Finished three tries, made four line breaks, carried for a match-high 151 metres and beat an astonishing 11 defenders. His first concluded one of the tries of the season, his second finished a length-of-the-field masterpiece and his third saw him fend through three tacklers. Should have released McParland after another clean break, but that scarcely detracts from a devastating display.

10 Fin Smith – 9
Set the tone with a beautifully judged opening kick-off before slicing through for the first try after wrapping behind Hutchinson. Put Freeman underneath the posts with a perfectly timed short pass and later showed strength to bounce Carreras before offloading for Coles’ score. Missed three conversions but controlled an extraordinary attacking display superbly.

9 Alex Mitchell – 9
World-class. The speed with which he moved Northampton around the field repeatedly prevented Bath from setting their defence, with his slap pass instrumental in Sleightholme’s first try. Then produced an outrageous individual score from the scrum, dummying, grubbering and regathering himself. Saints noticeably accelerated whenever he touched the ball.

1 Emmanuel Iyogun – 6
Saints initially had the stronger scrum but Iyogun endured a difficult moment when Tuipulotu smashed through his tackle for Green’s first score. Was then penalised for walking around at the scrum shortly before half-time, allowing Russell to reduce Northampton’s lead. Still completed 10 tackles.

2 Curtis Langdon – 7
A largely understated performance amid the attacking fireworks. Made 17 tackles, joint-highest for Northampton, during his 56 minutes and provided plenty of industry through the middle before Robbie Smith replaced him.

3 Cleopas Kundiona – 6
Another who suffered when Tuipulotu charged through Northampton’s defence, failing to stop the hooker in the build-up to Green’s try. Responded with plenty of defensive work, completing 16 tackles, although three misses highlighted Bath’s success punching through Saints during the first half.

4 Alex Coles – 9.5
Magnificent. Repeatedly carried like a back-row forward in the wide channels, flattening Griffin with one early run and finishing with two line breaks, 49 metres and four defenders beaten. His short line and pass put Kemeny over before he was rewarded with a try of his own. Somehow also found time to make 17 tackles and win a turnover.

5 JJ van der Mescht – 7
A solid performance before being withdrawn shortly after half-time. Carried six times for 23 metres and made eight tackles as Northampton attempted to contain Bath’s powerful close-range attack.

6 Josh Kemeny – 8
Rewarded for his support running when Coles sliced through after the break, taking the final pass and finishing in the corner. Made 12 tackles, won a turnover and added 27 metres from only three carries during an energetic display.

7 Henry Pollock – 6
Unusually quiet by his standards. Got through plenty of defensive work with 15 tackles but had only three carries for ten metres and did not exert his usual influence over the breakdown or Northampton’s attack. Replaced before the hour.

8 Callum Chick – 8
His contribution to Northampton’s length-of-the-field score typified the handling standards of the afternoon, producing an excellent wide pass as forwards and backs combined seamlessly. Led the Saints pack with 13 carries and consistently provided a reliable link in their high-tempo phase play.

Replacements – 8
Robbie Smith made a particularly sharp contribution in the build-up to Coles’ try, while Northampton maintained their tempo despite making wholesale changes.