Russell the catalyst for Bath as owner's decision bears fruit in Prem final

08 June 2024 , 07:30

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Finn Russell has excelled at Bath in his first season - with a Premiership final his final assignment

Bath owner Bruce Craig was adamant that the capture of Finn Russell would change their fortunes - and he's 80 minutes away from being proved right.

Those who follow the west country outfit have waited since 1995 to see their team rule England. 2015 was their last final appearance and, after several years of struggle, folk at The Rec could be celebrating a Premiership triumph that has been spearheaded by their Scottish fly-half.

Signed from Racing 92 on big money, Russell has been worth every penny. Austin Healey, who will be part of the final coverage on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+, recalled a chance meeting with the Bath owner at a restaurant not far from the Rec last season, challenging him on why his team had been so poor.

Craig's fortunes have landed some huge names, but never have the team come together to deliver the ultimate prize. Russell is one of the world's great playmakers and Healey concedes, having been unsure whether he could have such an impact on his own, that the Bath chief has played a blinder with his recruitment.

He recalled to Mirror Sport : "Me and my wife were having lunch in Bath, I was commentating that night, he was sat at another table and came over for a chat. Then I said 'Bruce what's going on, why's your team so crap?' He said that (head coach, Johann) Van Graan would turn things round, Barbeary's signed, obviously Finn. So I said 'yeah but Finn can't do it all by himself...'

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"And he's not done it all these mesmeric things but he's given Bath a breath of fresh air in terms of their approach and mentality. That's what had stifled them for all Bruce's money they'd spent. But paying Finn all this money, it's like he's this guru that has bought out their happiness, they're playing better rugby with smiles. So he was right, which is probably why he's so wealthy! He did say 'watch it, next year, we'll win it'. So he was right and I was wrong - happy to admit it."

Russell has helped ignite the attack, allowing the likes of Ollie Lawrence, Will Muir and Joe Cokanasiga to shine in a Bath shirt. Sprinkled alongside that is his own mercurial dose of brilliance, featuring cross field kicks and offloads as his highlight reel continues to lengthen.

Bath were pipped to top spot by Northampton Saints, who they'll need to overcome in the final on Saturday. Victory over them on the final day, albeit Northampton rested several key men, was a stellar way to end the season before they edged out a Sale side in the semi-final.

Bruce Craig looks to have struck gold with his recruitment and coaching appointments

Russell was crucial to that success and Ben Kay admits, despite initial fears that the Scot may want to bring out his flash side, that in fact we've seen a different side to him.

He said: "I don't want to make this sound negative because I love Finn Russell, he's been amazing, but I thought when Bath signed him it would be the Russell show, but the way he's bought everyone else into the game has been fantastic. He's limited the flash stuff to when it is actually on. He's become this talismanic figure and isn't this up and down player he maybe once was."

Danny Care, whose Harlequins side beat and lost to Bath this term, feels as though, with such a young squad, that Saturday's final doesn't represent a now or never moment for those from The Rec. The age profile of their playing group lends itself to further improvement and, win or lose, this season will be viewed in glowing terms.

He said: "I think Northampton, not that they need the trophy, but I feel like they could do with lifting a trophy due to all their hard work, whereas for Bath, if they weren't to win at the weekend they'd still go what an awesome season, look how far we've come, this is our journey."

Kay echoed that sentiment as he said: "I could see Northampton winning this, but Bath going on to dominate after, when you consider the players Northampton are losing. So it does feel a bit like they need to get this win under their belt now."

Watch Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby in the Gallagher Premiership Final this Saturday, live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ from 2pm.

Samuel Meade