A recent renaissance in results has fired the Bears into the end-of-season play-off positions, but they also believe they have recruited well with a view to next season.
Northampton recovered from last week’s embarrassing result at Bristol to pick up a bonus-point 45-26 victory over Bath at Franklin’s Gardens.
Three internationals are among nine new arrivals confirmed at Bath as the club usher in a new era under Johann van Graan.
Fit-again Cameron Redpath has been handed an entirely new role Bath this Saturday when he plays his first rugby match since seriously injuring his knee last May.
Bath secured a place in Europe’s elite club competition next season thanks to a nerve-wracking Premiership victory over Northampton.
Sale Sharks stayed on course for a Premiership play-off place after beating Bath 24-20 at the Recreation Ground.
It was last November in the opening round of the Premiership season that Ben Curry suffered the injury that sidelined him long term at Sale.