A game of two fly-halves

Bath and Northants will clash in Premiership decider today

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE

Sat in the central London offices of Premiership sponsors Gallagher this week, Simon Massie-Taylor cut a contented figure. Twelve months ago in the week of the Premiership final, the English top flight's chief executive was fretting over how he would deliver the news to stakeholders that he was set to lose a third professional club in a single season - London Irish's demise impending as Saracens beat Sale at a far-from-full Twickenham after a season where negative noise and news had been the prevailing theme.

Even coverage of that final itself was dominated by the arrival of a protester dusted in orange – although as another Premiership executive joked this week, it did at least get club rugby on the back pages.

There is a better chance of positive headlines this time around. This has been a sterling season to restore faith in the English domestic game, with a captivating Premiership backed up by encouraging performances in Europe. Come the close of the campaign, we have been left with the two best, most complete sides in Northampton Saints and Bath, contesting a final draped and dressed with storylines.

For the first time in a decade, the home of English rugby will be sold out for a decider, pushed over the line by two fervent fanbases. Stadium occupancy and viewing figures are up across the campaign; there is still sorting to be done behind the scenes but there is optimism again around the sport.

“I feel totally different to how I felt this time last year,” stressed Massie-Taylor. “This year has seen a record number of young people turning up to the games at the clubs. Thirteen per cent of our ticket holders for the final are kids. Those things are tracking in the right direction.