Fin Smith's late penalty saves Saints' playoff hopes in thrilling win over Bath

01/05/2025 12:19 PM

• Northampton 35-34 Bath
• Fly-half shows promise for Borthwick before Six Nations

Fin Smith's last-gasp penalty edged Northampton to a crucial victory over Bath, capped off an individual performance that will have Steve Borthwick purring before the Six Nations – and may just have saved Saints' season.

It was the final act of a mad-cap match that Northampton had led 19-0 before Bath came roaring back, only for Smith to take advantage of Sam Underhill's transgression at the death. Bath outscored the hosts five tries to four but this was a match Northampton simply had to win if they are to maintain hopes of getting back into the playoffs. So much of Bath's performance demonstrated why they are so hotly backed to go one better next season but on this occasion, just as in last season's final, Northampton squeezed home.