Premiership: Paul Hill – Northampton Saints looking to finish top

There are seven teams still in contention for play-off places but Hill, who will join Edinburgh ahead of next season, said he “does not do league watching”.

Asked about potential semi-final opponents, he said: “You play the team in front of you. What’s the point of me worrying about who I’m going to play? There’s no point doing that. Just play what you see.”

Saints thrashed a much-changed Gloucester side 90-0 last weekend, running in 14 tries, and have a number of players returning to fitness, including Hill – who last played a month ago – and centre Rory Hutchinson.

They can expect a much tougher test at the Rec, but Hill added: “Bath have got all the pressure on them. We just need to carry the momentum we’ve had from the last few games and take that into the weekend.”

Hutchinson has been out of action since March because of a back problem, and is hoping for a chance to add to his one try in 15 appearances this season.

He said Saints’ strength in depth, and ability to rotate players in and out of the team, is one of the reasons for their success this season.

“It’s been the first time in a while that we’ve had a complete squad, with that trust, and people can step in and play in different positions and people that haven’t necessarily got the game time they want can step in and do a job.

“I think the coaches have got it right where boys with a lot of minutes have got rest and it’s great for the squad to keep people fresh.”

On his own fitness, Hutchinson added: “I spoke to the coaches and said, ‘Obviously I’ve missed a fair chunk of rugby, what do I need to do?’ and they just said, ‘Do what you do best,’ – and that’s the basics really.”