2019-20 Premiership Rugby – Northampton Saints vs Bath Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Northampton Saints vs Bath taking place? Wednesday 26th August, 2020 – 19:45 (UK)
Where is Northampton Saints vs Bath taking place? Franklin's Gardens, Northampton
What is the expected weather for Northampton Saints vs Bath? 18c cloudy
Where can I get tickets for Northampton Saints vs Bath? This match will be played behind closed doors
What television channel is Northampton Saints vs Bath on? BT Sport have the rights to televise Gallagher Premiership matches so it is worth checking their schedule
Where can I stream Northampton Saints vs Bath? If televised on BT Sport, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via the BT Sport website & app
TEAM NEWS
Northampton Saints: 15 Harry Mallinder, 14 Ahsee Tuala, 13 Fraser Dingwall, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Henry Taylor, 8 Teimana Harrison (c), 7 JJ Tonks, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Owen Franks, 2 James Fish, 1 Nick Auterac
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Lewis Bean, 20 Tui Uru, 21 Tom James, 22 Rory Hutchinson, 23 Tommy Freeman
Bath: 15 Tom de Glanville, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Max Clark, 12 Cameron Redpath, 11 Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10 Josh Matavesi, 9 Will Chudley, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Josh Bayliss (c), 6 Mike Williams, 5 Elliott Stooke, 4 Will Spencer, 3 Christian Judge, 2 Jack Walker, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Miles Reid, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 Ruaridh McConnochie
THE PREDICTION
Northampton Saints are maximising the full depth of their squad as they have named a completely different set of players for this crunch clash with Bath. The race for the top four is warming up nicely and both of these teams are in contention with the winner leapfrogging Wasps into fourth. Both teams are coming off good wins at the weekend and with Bath also making wholesale changes, each team will be suitably freshened up. The preference in this match between two evenly-matched sides is for the hosts who have lost just once to Bath on home turf in their last 18 meetings at Franklin’s Gardens. Home advantage may be reduced without fans, but the Saints will still have sufficient edge at home to get the win here.
