McGeechan: Happy to get another win

Astonishingly, Bath have scored 46 points in each of their three LV= games, running in five tries against the Saints who, despite the 46-14 loss, remained in the mix themselves.

McGeechan, whose side are 10th in the Aviva Premiership, said: "However they work the LV, we must be close to that semi-final."

Reflecting on the five-try performance against his former club, he added: "We got on the front foot early and executed well.

"Even when their big guns came on I thought our bench was really effective.

"We've said all along, it's not that we're not playing pretty decent rugby, it's just that we've not finished off and not been so good execution-wise.

"We weren't 100 per cent today but the big thing was the attitude right through the team and that counts for a lot.

"We still want to make a big impact in the Premiership. We know we've got to work hard there but there are still a lot of things to play for.

"We've played well in the LV, using the youngsters and also for getting other players back from injury."

McGeechan does have a worry over skipper Stuart Hooper who went off with a suspected fractured eye socket in his first game since recovering from a broken wrist.

Fortunately, stand-in captain Francois Louw turned in another performance of the highest quality, whether turning over possession or carrying the ball.

"He's unbelievable, incredible - a fantastic character," said McGeechan.

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: "We had our chances. The scrum was very good, with a young front row. We're disappointed with today but enthused about this tournament."

On his decision to rest some of his frontline players, even beyond those required by England, he added: "We can't just keep playing some players week in, week out."