Bath Rugby get season off to winning start at Northampton

Bath Rugby got the 2016-17 season off to a perfect start, as they won at Franklin's Gardens for the first time in 16 years thanks to a 14-18 scoreline.

George Ford was the hero for Bath as his kicking provided every single point for the Blue, Black and White in a relatively low-scoring match in Northampton.

Ford, whose father Mike was replaced by Todd Blackadder at Bath, kicked over four penalties and two drop goals to secure an historic win for the away side.

The 23-year-old kicked a drop goal and a penalty to put Bath 6-0 up at half-time, as neither side managed to score a try in the first period.

It was 9-0 four minutes into the second half when Ford scored a second penalty and Bath then extended their lead by another three points when Ford bagged his second drop goal of the game.

When Ford made it 15-0 and 18-0 with his final two penalties it looked liked Bath would run out convincingly, however Northampton hit back with two late tries to keep the tension up.

Nic Groom scored the first try, which was then converted by Stephen Myler.

With two minutes left, Groom darted his way through the Bath defence and went over the try line again and Myler was on hand to convert to set up a nervy last two minutes for Bath but they held on.

Bath's win was marred, however, by an injury to debutant Taulupe Faletau.

Faletau only lasted 12 minutes and it is not yet clear how long he will be out for.