Bath strike late in pulsating Champions Cup victory over Northampton

Bath strike late in pulsating Champions Cup victory over Northampton Last updated 10 April 2026 10:20pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Ted Hill scored late after Bath trailed for almost the entirety of quarter-final Credit: David Rogers/Getty Images Kieran Crichard (live updates). Daniel Schofield Deputy Rugby Union Correspondent, at The Rec Last updated 10 April 2026 10:20pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Bath 43 Northampton 41 This was one of the great European club rugby nights. There did not deserve to be a loser but Ted Hill’s try four minutes from time broke Northampton hearts and booked Bath’s place in the Champions Cup semi-finals. While there is a clash of French rugby royalty in Toulouse and Bordeaux to come on Sunday, you would have to go a long way to find a better club match played anywhere on the planet this season. Saints led from the second minute and led 28-7 and 35-14 in the first half, playing rugby from the gods. But Bath never wobbled. Guided by the magical Finn Russell, they ground Northampton down through their close-range pick and go game with Guy Pepper and Alfie Barbeary particularly prominent. Henry Pollock, who scored the game’s opening try, was sin-binned with eight minutes to go allowing Hill to seize the glory. Latest updates Kieran Crichard (live updates). Daniel Schofield Deputy Rugby Union Correspondent, at The Rec 10:19PM Northampton boss Phil Dowson talking to Premier Sports Link copied to clipboard “Credit to Bath. We were 28-7 ahead but never looked comfortable and we had many opportunities to win that game but we did not manage to do it and Bath take the lead in the 76th minute and we could not get it back. “We are obviously disappointed with the result but there are parts of our game we are very pleased with. Clearly there are things defensively we need to be better at. We need to make sure we do not get too emotional about it and focus on next week and the rest of the season.” 10:17PM Post-match thoughts of Bath boss Johann van Graan Link copied to clipboard “I have been very fortunate to have been involved in rugby for a long time and this game certainly ranks as one of the best I have been involved in. I want to give credit to Northampton, what a rugby team they are they put us under huge pressure but what a fight back. Great to be part of the Champions Cup. “They always start fast but we always knew we would come back into the game. The try before half-time was a big moment as we went into half-time with momentum and in the last 20 minutes our impacts made a massive difference but it could easily have gone the other way so I want to emphasise two very good sides. It is amazing to see men living out their dreams.” 10:15PM A moment that will create debate? Link copied to clipboard Plenty will be said in the aftermath of this game about Henry Pollock’s yellow card late in the game. Was it a harsh yellow and should the penalty actually have gone Northampton’s way? You can take a look at the incident here: Henry Pollock is sent to the bin to the delight of the Bath Rugby support 👀 We've got a huge finish brewing at the Rec here 🙌#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/CL0YAvxdxr — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 10, 2026 You can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog. 10:11PM Your views Link copied to clipboard James Gregory: “A questionable decision with Pollock, BUT Northampton had let the game slip when they had it won. Unlike the ‘fans’, their Coach will have the experience and maturity to look at his team and not the Ref, for the final result.”Richey Ton: “Why didn’t the TMO tell Brace he got the Pollock yellow card decision 100% wrong?”Phillip Bryant: “Bath won. Get over it. Its not like they have never fallen foul of some ‘odd’ decisions in days gone by.”Bertie van Tahn: “I rarely blame the ref, but Pollock being carded when Bath infringed probably cost Northampton the game.” 10:06PM Northampton’s next five games (all Gallagher Prem) Link copied to clipboard April 18: Exeter vs Northampton April 25: Northampton vs Bath May 9: Leicester vs Northampton May 15: Northampton vs Bristol May 30: Northampton vs Gloucester Northampton’s sole focus will be on the Gallagher Prem now, where they sit top of the tree by one point. What will be interesting is how Bath approach team selection for the meeting between these sides in a couple of weeks. Bath will have their Champions Cup semi-final a week after that match so will they rest some players for the Northampton Prem game? 10:03PM Bath’s Miles Reid speaking to Premier Sports Link copied to clipboard “That was tough, a silly decision from me [his early yellow card], my heart is only just coming down. We pride ourselves on never [being] too high, never too low, we stayed calm at half-time, we knew what we had to do and our physicality came into the game and the crowd is amazing, when they get behind you it is the best place to play rugby. We knew we could go and score and had that bench coming on, that power coming on.” 10:01PM Bath’s next five games Link copied to clipboard April 18: Bath vs Harlequins (Gallagher Prem) April 25: Northampton vs Bath (Gallagher Prem) May 1/2/3: Bath vs Bordeaux or Toulouse (Champions Cup) May 10: Exeter vs Bath (Gallagher Prem) May 16: Bath vs Newcastle (Gallagher Prem) These teams will meet in the Gallagher Prem in just a couple of weeks, with Northampton one point clear of Bath at the top. Bath’s semi-final in the Champions Cup is yet to be decided. Bordeaux face Toulouse on Sunday. If Bordeaux win, Bath will be over in France for the semi-finals. If Toulouse win, the semi-final will in the UK. 9:54PM Quarter-finals this weekend Link copied to clipboard Tonight: Bath 43 Northampton 41 Saturday: Glasgow vs Toulon Leinster vs Sale Sunday: Bordeaux vs Toulouse 9:53PM Alfie Barbeary speaking to Premier Sports Link copied to clipboard “It was a pretty mental game to play in. Class to get the result. I know my job in this team and I have great players in the team that make me look good. In this group a big thing is our belief. We did not look at the scoreline. If we stuck to our process we believed in ourselves. We would love to have the semi-final in the UK and have all the Bath fans there.” 9:48PM Full time Link copied to clipboard Bath run out the final minute before booting the ball out of play to bring a quite incredible quarter-final to an end. Bath led this game for just a few minutes but they are the ones to book their place in the semi-finals. They have won 43-41 and will face the winner of the game between Bordeaux and Toulouse in the final four. Northampton’s European journey this season is over, despite leading for nearly the entirety of that match. NO WORDS. 🤝 @theTRUESPEED pic.twitter.com/wA2fQT4yuo — Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) April 10, 2026 9:47PM 79 mins: Bath 43 Northampton 41 Link copied to clipboard Into the final minute we go, with Bath in possession. 9:47PM 78 mins: Bath 43 Northampton 41 Link copied to clipboard Hendy is taken into touch not far outside the Bath 22 as the seconds tick by. 9:46PM 77 mins: Bath 43 Northampton 41 Link copied to clipboard The momentum is with Bath as they are awarded a penalty to get an easy exit from their half. Just over two minutes left. 9:44PM TRY! Hill gives Bath the lead Link copied to clipboard For the first time tonight, the home side hit the front. The pressure pays off for Bath as Hill powers his way over right under the sticks. That gives Russell the easiest of conversions to put Bath in front. 🛁 @BathRugby lead for the first time in the game with just minutes to go! Ted Hill goes over and Finn Russell converts to open up a two-point gap 🤯#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/KxHKHCT1W7 — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 10, 2026 9:43PM 75 mins: Bath 36 Northampton 41 Link copied to clipboard Bath are awarded a scrum penalty on the Northampton feed. Bath take a quick tap. 9:42PM 74 mins: Bath 36 Northampton 41 Link copied to clipboard The Bath fans thought they had scored but Tuipulotu knocks on as he reached for the line. Big defensive moment for Northampton. 9:41PM 73 mins: Bath 36 Northampton 41 Link copied to clipboard Bath are on the attack inside the Northampton 22 and are awarded a penalty. Pollock had his hands in the ruck illegally and is then sent to the bin. How big a moment is that going to be? Watching the replays, Northampton are unlucky there as the penalty should probably have gone the other way for sealing off. Northampton go to the corner... Henry Pollock is sent to the bin to the delight of the Bath Rugby support 👀 We've got a huge finish brewing at the Rec here 🙌#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/CL0YAvxdxr — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 10, 2026 9:36PM 69 mins: Bath 36 Northampton 41 Link copied to clipboard Northampton are in possession deep inside the Bath but the ball is knocked on at a crucial moment. You can feel the nerves inside The Rec right now. 9:34PM 68 mins: Bath 36 Northampton 41 Link copied to clipboard Northampton are back up to 15 men with van der Mescht’s sin-bin period over. He has actually been replaced by Prowse. 9:33PM PENALTY BATH! Link copied to clipboard Russell gets the three and the gap is back down to five. 9:33PM 66 mins: Bath 33 Northampton 41 Link copied to clipboard Kemeny is offside for Northampton on his own 22. Will Bath go for three to make it a one-score game once more or take the aggressive option and go to the corner? The answer is they go for goal... 9:30PM 65 mins: Bath 33 Northampton 41 Link copied to clipboard Northampton have made a change in the backs as Hendy replaces Sleightholme. 9:30PM PENALTY NORTHAMPTON! Link copied to clipboard Smith makes no mistake from the tee and the visitors now lead by eight. 9:29PM 64 mins: Bath 33 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard Bath’s lineout is off and Northampton steal possession before winning a penalty right in front of the posts. The visitors have a decision to make; go for three and make it a two-score game or go for the aggressive option. They opt for the former... 9:27PM 63 mins: Bath 33 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard So close for Northampton as Smith spots Sleightholme in space on the left touchline and the crossfield kick is nearly spot on but there is just slightly too much on it. 9:25PM 62 mins: Bath 33 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard Northampton’s attack is ended by a knock-on. There are still four minutes left on van der Mescht’s yellow card. 9:25PM 61 mins: Bath 33 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard Northampton are awarded a penalty on halfway as van Wyk changed his bind at a maul. Smith takes the visitors towards the Bath 22. 9:23PM 58 mins: Bath 33 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard England scrum-half Mitchell has returned from injury tonight and replaces McParland. 9:21PM TRY! Tuipulotu powers over Link copied to clipboard This game feels like it is going to go down to the wire. Bath win the lineout and set the maul. Tuipulotu then breaks out and finds his way to the line. Russell nails the conversion and there are just five points in it now. 9:20PM 56 mins: Bath 26 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard As has been the case for a lot of this second half, Bath are on the attack around the Northampton 22 and now have a penalty. Not just that but Northampton are going down to 14 men as van der Mescht is shown a yellow card. On that occasion it was an offside penalty but the reason it was a yellow card was for “repeat infringements”. Bath go to the corner... 9:18PM 53 mins: Bath 26 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard That was absolutely bonkers and probably summed up the craziness of this game. Bath win a penalty just outside their 22 and Spencer takes it quickly. He kicks a long way down the field and McParland scampers back. His kick from his own 22 and is charged down by Carreras’ face. The ball goes towards the Northampton line and the bounce does for Freeman. The ball falls kindly for Spencer, whose offload inside right near the Northampton line is knocked on when Bath looked like scoring. 9:15PM 52 mins: Bath 26 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard Changes for Bath as Tuipulotu and Carreras replace Dunn and de Glanville. 9:15PM 51 mins: Bath 26 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard Bath are having plenty of possession near the Northampton 22 in this second half but their latest attack is ended as Pollock gets over the ball really well after a Pepper carry and wins Northampton a penalty at the breakdown. 9:12PM 49 mins: Bath 26 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard This is fascinating. Bath winger Muir is on the flank and number eight Barbeary is lined up in the backs. Anyway, the ball comes out but a few phases later the ball falls loose and Northampton steal possession before clearing. 9:10PM 47 mins: Bath 26 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard The Bath lineout is sloppy but are gifted a scrum as Northampton replacement hooker Wright knocks on. Northampton are making a double change in the front-row as Millar Mills and Iyogun come on. Bath are also making two substitutions as du Toit and Hill come on. 9:08PM 46 mins: Bath 26 Northampton 38 Link copied to clipboard Bath go through a number of phases near the Northampton 22 and then win a penalty. Russell kicks into the corner. 9:05PM PENALTY NORTHAMPTON! Link copied to clipboard It is an easy three for Smith and the visitors’ lead grows to 12 points. 9:05PM 42 mins: Bath 26 Northampton 35 Link copied to clipboard Northampton are on the attack on the fringes of the Bath 22 and are awarded a penalty as van Wyk is pinged for an infringement at the breakdown. Northampton take the pragmatic decision and point to the posts... 9:02PM Second half Link copied to clipboard It was a crazy first half so will the second live up to the same drama? We are back under way. 8:56PM Quarter-finals this weekend Link copied to clipboard Tonight: Bath 26 Northampton 35 HT Saturday: Glasgow vs Toulon Leinster vs Sale Sunday: Bordeaux vs Toulouse 8:47PM Half-time Link copied to clipboard Northampton boot the ball out to bring the first half to an end and take a nine-point advantage into the break. And breathe! 8:46PM TRY! Van Wyk reduces Northampton’s lead Link copied to clipboard A ninth try in this crazy first half! De Glanville is brought down inches short of the line before replacement loosehead prop van Wyk scores. Russell misses what should have been a fairly simple conversion. 8:45PM 39 mins: Bath 21 Northampton 35 Link copied to clipboard Another penalty goes Bath’s way and Northampton are given a warning. Dunn takes a quick tap... 8:43PM 38 mins: Bath 21 Northampton 35 Link copied to clipboard Freeman intercepts a long pass from Russell and races clear to score. However, the whistle has gone just as Russell threw the pass for an offside by Northampton lock Lockett. That is slightly fortunate for Russell as he would not have known that penalty was about to be given when he threw that pass. Bath turn down three and go to the corner. 8:41PM 36 mins: Bath 21 Northampton 35 Link copied to clipboard This game is being played at a frightening pace but play is stopped with Pollock down receiving treatment. The TMO is stepping up to check a possible illegal clear-out by Barbeary on Pollock. It is not good from Barbeary, who picks Pollock up above the horizontal and throws him to the ground dangerously. The referee Andrew Brace settles for just a penalty but he is so fortunate. That should be a yellow card as it was clearly dangerous. 8:36PM TRY! Arundell responds for Bath Link copied to clipboard The Rec is being treated to a try fest and it is another first-phase score. From a scrum on the Northampton 22, Russell times his pass to Arundell to perfection to put the winger racing through a gap to score. Russell gets the conversion. 8:34PM 31 mins: Bath 14 Northampton 35 Link copied to clipboard Bath have made a change in the front-row as van Wyk has replaced Obano. 8:32PM TRY! Sleightholme powers his way over Link copied to clipboard We have now had seven tries in this first half and Northampton are having a fantastic first half. It is a first-phase try straight from a lineout as Sleightholme powers through a few tackles to score. The tackling, or lack of it, was dreadful from Redpath in particular but the carry from Sleightholme was fantastic. Smith adds the extras. It's a FIFTH try for @SaintsRugby in what has been a dominant opening half of rugby 😱 Ollie Sleightholme is the latest to go over after powering through the Bath Rugby defence 🛁#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/Hi7FZpHk24 — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 10, 2026 8:32PM 29 mins: Bath 14 Northampton 28 Link copied to clipboard A nervy moment for Bath as Northampton attack down their left. Sleightholme races into the Bath half down the touchline and kicks ahead before being tackled. McParland is racing towards the ball but Muir just about gets across to gather at the second attempt and slices a kick into touch... 8:28PM TRY! Russell strikes back for Bath Link copied to clipboard The home side desperately needed that. Bath have a lineout deep inside the Northampton 22 and there is a knock-on at the lineout by Northampton. The ball falls loose on the ground and Russell hacks ahead twice. There is a slice of fortune with the bounce from the first kick ahead but Russell dots down. He converts his own try. 8:23PM TRY! Kemeny gets Northampton’s fourth Link copied to clipboard The home fans are booing as Northampton extend their lead. There is a huge slice of fortune for the visitors but they are the quickest to react when the opportunity arises. Smith’s clearing kick is semi charged down and Hutchinson is played onside due to the Bath touch despite being miles in front. Hutchinson passes to Smith, who then offloads to McParland. The Northampton scrum-half looks like he might have had the pace to get to the line but instead passes to Kemeny, who goes over under the posts. Smith adds the extras. Hutchinson was the quickest to react when Northampton had a slice of luck. 8:22PM 21 mins: Bath 7 Northampton 21 Link copied to clipboard So often these big contests turn into anticlimaxes but this has more than lived up to the hype. Saints are playing with absolutely zero fear and some of their handling from their inside backs has been sensational. Bath are far from out of this at 21-7 down and dug their way out of a similar sized hole against Saracens last week  8:20PM 19 mins: Bath 7 Northampton 21 Link copied to clipboard Northampton disrupt the lineout and steal possession before clearing their lines. 8:20PM 18 mins: Bath 7 Northampton 21 Link copied to clipboard Northampton are caught holding on on their 22 and Spencer puts it into the corner. 8:18PM 17 mins: Bath 7 Northampton 21 Link copied to clipboard So much has gone Northampton’s way tonight but they are being forced into a change. Langdon, who has already missed a lot of action this season due to injury, is forced off and Wright is coming on. 8:16PM TRY! Lockett finishes off great Northampton move Link copied to clipboard The visitors have scored some wonderful tries inside the opening 20 minutes. Northampton are on the attack inside the Bath 22 and attack down the right. The quick handling is sublime, working it down the line to Lockett on the right touchline. Lockett has enough space and pace to get to the corner. Smith nails the conversion and restores Northampton’s 14-point advantage. 8:16PM 15 mins: Bath 7 Northampton 14 Link copied to clipboard Bath are offside on halfway and Smith puts the kick towards the Bath 22... 8:13PM 12 mins: Bath 7 Northampton 14 Link copied to clipboard Bath are restored to 15 men as Reid returns from his period in the sin-bin. It was a bold call by referee Andrew Brace to show such an early yellow card but it felt like the right decision. 8:10PM TRY! Dunn hits back for Bath Link copied to clipboard Three tries in the opening nine minutes. Dunn is the one to take the quick tap and he manages to force his way through a few tackles to score. The conversion is added. 8:10PM 8 mins: Bath 0 Northampton 14 Link copied to clipboard For the first time in the game, Bath make a foray into the Northampton 22 with a lineout deep in the 22. Van der Mescht hits the Bath maul early and the hosts have a penalty, which they will take quickly... 8:07PM TRY! Dingwall adds a second for Northampton Link copied to clipboard The visitors are in dreamland. It is a fantastic first-phase strike from a lineout on halfway. A series of great offloads from Hutchinson, McParland and then Smith sends Freeman racing towards the Bath 22. Freeman passes to Dingwall, who has an easy finish. Smith adds the extras and after just six minutes, Northampton lead by 14. That was a brave but correct call by referee Andrew Brace. The temptation would be to give a warning so early in the game, but Brace went straight to his pocket to yellow card Miles Reid who could have been sin-binned for about three different offences. Northampton instantly take advantage through tries from Henry Pollock and Fraser Dingwall. What a start by Saints. "It is absolutely ridiculous from @SaintsRugby!" 🎙️ Fraser Dingwall finishes a beauty for their second try in just six minutes 🤯#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/v1v7Z9qnYm — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 10, 2026 8:06PM 5 mins: Bath 0 Northampton 7 Link copied to clipboard The first scrum of the game results in a penalty for Northampton. All going the visitors’ way thus far. 8:04PM TRY! Pollock puts Northampton ahead early Link copied to clipboard The visitors hit the front inside the opening three minutes and The Rec is silenced. After taking a quick tap, Pollock is brought down a few metres shy of the Bath line but manages to stretch out to score. Smith adds the extras and Northampton strike first in this quarter-final. Henry Pollock goes over for the opening try of the game 😇@SaintsRugby lead at the Rec 👀#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/sgP2FmnoNK — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 10, 2026 8:03PM 2 mins: Bath 0 Northampton 0 Link copied to clipboard Northampton go a number of phases inside the Bath 22 before being awarded a penalty. Not only that but Reid is also sent to the bin. It is a cynical act, deliberately in at the side to stop Northampton getting quick ball and referee Andrew Brace is quick to go to the pocket. Northampton take a quick tap... 8:02PM 1 min: Bath 0 Northampton 0 Link copied to clipboard The first aerial battle in-play is won by Freeman and Northampton are on the front foot attacking the Bath 22. Smit then puts a clever grubber kick through and forces Muir to cover across for Bath. Muir slices his kick into touch and Northampton have a lineout inside the Bath 22. 8:00PM Kick-off Link copied to clipboard We are under way at The Rec. Who will book their place in the semi-finals? Bath or Northampton? 7:57PM Big matchups Link copied to clipboard There are so many fascinating head-to-heads tonight but potentially the most interesting is that of the scrum halves - Ben Spencer, the heartbeat of Bath versus Archie McParland, the up and comer from Saints. McParland has been on an absolute tear in recent weeks and it is interesting that Phil Dowson chose to keep faith with him with first-choice England scrum half Alex Mitchell settling for a place on the bench. Friday night lights at the Rec will represent his biggest test yet and a strong performance here versus Spencer may yet catapult him into England’s squad for the Nations Championship.  7:52PM Johann van Graan speaking to Premier Sports Link copied to clipboard 🛁 @BathRugby head coach Johann van Graan shares his pre-match thoughts "We're really looking forward to it" 🗣️#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/XtXYDws26r — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 10, 2026 7:48PM Pre-match thoughts of Finn Russell Link copied to clipboard 🛁 @BathRugby's Finn Russell chats with @ryanwilson89 before things get underway at the Rec "We're calm, but definitely excited for this game" 🗣️#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/ImKZ0wxjXj — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 10, 2026 7:38PM Fraser Dingwall speaking to Premier Sports Link copied to clipboard Fraser Dingwall met with @AndyGoode10 earlier in the week to discuss the spirit around the @SaintsRugby camp, tonight's visit to the Rec, and more 😇 "If you want to get called the best, you have to play against the best" 🗣️#InvestecChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/in5ZCkBz0f — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) April 10, 2026 7:32PM George Furbank to leave Northampton Link copied to clipboard The 29-year-old full-back will swap Northampton for Harlequins next season and he has had this to say on leaving Northampton: “Winning the Prem title with Saints will always be one of the most special days of my life, and something I will carry with me forever. This was a really difficult decision to make. I have given everything to Saints over the last 10 years, and from now until the end of the season my focus is on doing everything I can to help us finish on a high note.” George Furbank starts for and captains Northampton Credit: Dan Mullan/Getty Images 7:25PM Fin Smith interview: I wish I had approached the Lions tour differently Link copied to clipboard In some ways, little has changed for Fin Smith. The Northampton Saints fly-half is preparing for a Champions Cup quarter-final on Friday night, having finished the Six Nations as England’s starting 10 just as he did this time last year. Yet as he basks in a sun-trap, dodging heckles from Henry Pollock at Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, Smith reflects upon the past 12 months as “a weird old time”. That might be putting it mildly. A brief synopsis would be: lost Champions Cup final, called up for the Lions, overlooked for the Test series, dropped from England’s match-day squad before finally being recalled for the back end of the Six Nations. The highs have been exhilarating; the lows, especially his absence from England’s squad, crushing. Smith compares it to being thrown into a blender – “You just get chucked around: you are playing here, you’re playing there, you’re not picked this week, you are picked this week.” Northampton has always been Smith’s sanctuary, his safe place where he remembers rugby is supposed to be fun. Yet of all the figures that have helped him to navigate the past 12 months, Smith highlights the role of Jonny Wilkinson acting as his “main sounding board”. 7:18PM Quarter-finals Link copied to clipboard Tonight: Bath vs Northampton Saturday: Glasgow vs Toulon Leinster vs Sale Sunday: Bordeaux vs Toulouse One English team is guaranteed to be in the semi-finals from tonight’s quarter-final but there is just one more English club left in the form of Sale, who have a daunting trip to Dublin tomorrow to face Leinster. Glasgow face Toulon tomorrow afternoon and then on Sunday there is a mouthwatering contest between Bordeaux and Toulouse. The winner of that game will face the winner of tonight’s quarter-final. 7:12PM Visitors prepping Link copied to clipboard Keeping it tight, final messages being delivered. Investec @ChampionsCup quarter-final action from 8pm. pic.twitter.com/3j6u4XWVob — Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) April 10, 2026 7:06PM Teams Link copied to clipboard Bath starting XV: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Tom Dunn, 3 Vilikesa Sela, 4 Quinn Roux, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Miles Reid, 9 Ben Spencer (captain), 10 Finn Russell, 11 Will Muir, 12 Cameron Redpath, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Henry Arundell, 15 Tom de Glanville. Replacements: 16 Kepu Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ross Molony, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Santi Carreras, 23 Alfie Barbeary. Northampton Saints starting XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Curtis Langdon, 3 Cleopas Kundiona, 4 Tom Lockett, 5 JJ Van Der Mescht, 6 Josh Kemeny, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Henry Pollock, 9 Archie McParland, 10 Fin Smith, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 14 Tommy Freeman, 15 George Furbank (captain). Replacements: 16 Craig Wright, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Ed Prowse, 20 Callum Chick, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Tom Litchfield, 23 George Hendy. 6:59PM All-English tie for place in final four Link copied to clipboard The top two in the Gallagher Prem meet in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup as Bath host Northampton at The Rec for a place in the semi-finals. Just one point separates these sides domestically, with Northampton just ahead of Bath by one point to sit atop the Prem. These sides will also meet in a crucial Prem match in a couple of weeks. Bath faced an all-English ties in the last 16 as they overcame Saracens 31-22 last weekend. As part of winning a treble last season, Bath won the Challenge Cup but Johann van Graan’s side will want to go deep in the premier European competition. “It is the Premiership champions playing against the losing side in last season’s European Champions Cup final,” Bath DOR van Graan said. “Northampton are a team we respect so much and have been involved in some big battles in the last few years. And what is at stake if you get through this is you play either the winners of last year’s Champions Cup in Bordeaux or the French champions Toulouse. It is important to acknowledge and enjoy these moments because, certainly at this club, they have not happened for a long time. We are looking very good. We came through Saturday with just a few bumps and bruises. We have some sore bodies because that was some game, and respect to Saracens.” These sides met in the Prem back in late December, with Northampton claiming a 41-21 win on this ground. Bath players arriving ahead of the game Credit: Dan Mullan/Getty Images “We have not spoken about that game at all,” van Graan added. “An amazing thing about this group, you have heard me say it maybe a thousand times, we always start on zero. We took our learnings back in December, just after Christmas, they were better than us and we learned from it and moved on to the next week. They are a team we respect a lot and are currently playing some fantastic rugby. “They have some of the best players in the Premiership, they score some fantastic tries and they played in last season’s Champions Cup final in Cardiff against Bordeaux and this is their third quarter-final in a row in this competition. So it is a team with some big history in this competition, but all that matters is what happens at 8pm on Friday night. It is a knockout game, and it is going to be a great occasion.” Northampton were the first side to book their place in the final eight having beaten Castres 49-41 at Franklin’s Gardens in a high-scoring affair last Friday night. Northampton are looking to go one step better than they did in this competition last season, when they lost in the final to Bordeaux. This is the third consecutive season Northampton have reached the quarter-finals of this competition, having beaten the Bulls and Castres in the previous two seasons. Phil Dowson’s side have been boosted by the returns of England internationals Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith to the matchday squad. The winner of this tie will face either Bordeaux or Toulouse in the semi-finals. Kick-off from The Rec is at 8pm.