Northampton Saints captain Courtney Lawes said he was happy to be “going out on my own terms”, after leading the club to their first Premiership title in 10 years.

Saints withstood a spirited fightback from 14-man Bath to win 25-21 at Twickenham in the former England flanker’s final appearance for the club.

The league’s top two sides were separated by points difference in the Premiership table, so it was fitting a tense final was alive until the final moments as Bath pushed for a last-second winner.

Bare-chested and sporting a pair of white, tinted ski goggles in the post-match media conference, Lawes, who made his debut for the club in 2007, said he was frustrated on the final whistle as Saints “tried so hard to lose the match”.

But that feeling quickly turned to joy and pride.

“It’s everything you could want as a player,” Lawes said.

“I would quite like to do another year but things happen, times change, and I’m going out on my own terms.

“I owe the club so much and it won’t be the last time I contribute something to the club.”