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The Gallagher Premiership returns on Friday night with an absolute curtain-raiser, as Bath and Northampton Saints play a rematch of last season’s final at the Recreation Ground.
It was Northampton who triumphed in the June showcase, winning their first Premiership title in 10 years with a 25-21 victory.
The Twickenham clash was full of drama and provides an exciting backdrop to the opening match of a season which should see both clubs battle it out for the title.
Bath fought valiantly to take the lead after Beno Obano’s first-half red card in the final, but ultimately couldn’t hold on as Alex Mitchell scored a brilliant winner to secure the crown . Mitchell will be absent for the opening match as Northampton take on powerhouse The Rec, a venue in which only Saracens and Leicester emerged victorious last season.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the match.
When is Bath v Northampton?
The match kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Friday September 20 at the Recreation Ground, Bath.
Where can I watch?
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1. Subscribers can also watch it via the Discovery+ website and app.
You can subscribe to a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ herefor just £30.99 per month.
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Other meetings this week
Newcastle vs Bristol – Friday, 7:45 p.m. BST
Exeter vs Leicester – Saturday, 3:05 p.m. BST
Gloucester vs Saracens – Saturday, 5:30 p.m. BST
Sale against Harlequins – Sunday, 3pm BST
Compositions
Bath XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Will Stuart; 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels; 6 Ted Hill, 7 Miles Reid, 8 Alfie Barbeary; 9 Ben Spencer (captain), 10 Finn Russell; 11 Will Muir, 12 Will Butt, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga; 15 Tom de Glanville.
Substitutes: 16 Niall Annett, 17 François van Wyk, 18 Archie Griffin, 19 Jacques du Plessis, 20 Guy Pepper; 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Jaco Coetzee.
Northampton XV: 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Trevor Davison; 4 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Chunya Munga; 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Sam Graham; 9 Tom James, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 13 Fraser Dingwall, 14 James Ramm; 15 George Furbank (captain).
Substitutes: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Tom West, 18 Luke Green, 19 Callum Hunter-Hil, 20 Juarno Augustus; 21 Archie McParland, 22 Toby Thame, 23 Tommy Freman.
Odds
Bath 4/7
Draw 20/1
Northampton 6/4
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Prediction
An extremely close first encounter of the season, with Bath coming close to gaining revenge for last season’s final. Bath 25-21 Northampton.
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