Finn Russell Set to Shine in Premiership Final Despite Cramp Concerns - Van Graan

Bath's Finn Russell is expected to overcome cramp and be fit for the Premiership final, as head coach Johann van Graan expresses confidence in his star fly-half.

Bath fly-half Finn Russell is anticipated to be fully fit for the upcoming Premiership final despite suffering from cramp during the semi-final victory against Bristol. The Scotland and British and Irish Lions number 10 left the field limping in the final minutes but had already contributed significantly with 14 points in the 34-20 win.

Bath's head of rugby, Johann van Graan, remains optimistic about Russell's condition. "He's in a bit of pain, he's got multiple parts of his body cramping – it's only cramp at this stage," Van Graan stated. "He put in some effort. I thought his goal kicking was phenomenal, the chases that he put in. He'll be fine, but he's still cramping in the changing room as we speak."

The semi-final was a grueling encounter, with both teams showing immense effort. "It was amazing how many guys on both sides went down with cramp. It just showed the effort that both teams put in. We worked incredibly hard to get into this position, to get back to Twickenham," Van Graan added.

Bath, despite being 13-6 down at half-time, rallied in the second half with four tries to secure their place in the final. This marks their second consecutive Premiership final appearance, and they are now favorites to claim their first league title since 1996. Additionally, Bath has the chance to secure a treble this season, having already won the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup.

Van Graan emphasized the importance of the final week of preparation. "A final is once-off," he said. "[I was] speaking to the coaches earlier today [Friday], we had a quiet moment like if you don't come through today that's it, the season's done and you fall short. If you go to the final you know next Saturday afternoon at whatever time, you're either going to win the Premiership or you're going to lose in the final."

The semi-final also had the added intensity of being a derby match, which provided extra motivation for both teams. Van Graan noted that the pre-match commentary from Bristol's director of rugby, Pat Lam, had fueled his team's determination. "I thought the people of Bath were amazing tonight," Van Graan said. "I think I reconfirmed a very valuable lesson in my life this week, two ears and one mouth - don't speak too much and do your talking on the pitch, and our team certainly did our talking on the pitch. And they did it for the city."

As Bath prepares for the final, the focus remains on Russell's recovery and the team's readiness to seize the opportunity to make history. The final promises to be a thrilling encounter, with Bath aiming to end their long wait for a Premiership title.

What to Read Next

Tadhg Beirne's Bittersweet Triumph: A Lions Series to Remember
Rugby

Tadhg Beirne's Bittersweet Triumph: A Lions Series to Remember

Tadhg Beirne reflects on his bittersweet experience as the British and Irish Lions secure a series win over Australia, marking a significant moment in his rugby career.

Lions' Fitness Puzzle: Mack Hansen's Uncertain Status for Australia Test
Rugby

Lions' Fitness Puzzle: Mack Hansen's Uncertain Status for Australia Test

Explore the latest updates on Mack Hansen's fitness and the British and Irish Lions' preparations for the crucial Test against Australia.

Italy Triumphs Over Scotland in Thrilling Women's Rugby World Cup Warm-Up
Rugby

Italy Triumphs Over Scotland in Thrilling Women's Rugby World Cup Warm-Up

Italy secured a hard-fought victory against Scotland in a thrilling Women's Rugby World Cup warm-up match, highlighting Scotland's challenging preparation.

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad: Champions, Youth, and the Road to Glory
Rugby

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad: Champions, Youth, and the Road to Glory

Discover England's formidable 32-player squad for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, featuring a mix of seasoned champions and fearless young talent aiming for glory.

Hugo Keenan Triumphs Over Early Challenges in British & Irish Lions Tour
Rugby

Hugo Keenan Triumphs Over Early Challenges in British & Irish Lions Tour

Hugo Keenan overcomes early injuries and illness to make a strong impact in the British & Irish Lions tour, eyeing a key role in the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Historic Thursday Night Kickoff Marks the Start of 2025-26 Prem Rugby Season
Rugby

Historic Thursday Night Kickoff Marks the Start of 2025-26 Prem Rugby Season

The 2025-26 Prem Rugby season begins with a historic Thursday night game between Sale Sharks and Gloucester, setting a new tone for the season.

Jac Morgan: From Welsh Valleys to Lions Glory
Rugby

Jac Morgan: From Welsh Valleys to Lions Glory

Discover how Jac Morgan's journey from the Welsh valleys to the British and Irish Lions' Test arena exemplifies dedication and skill in rugby.

Natasha Hunt's Emotional Comeback: A Journey to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
Rugby

Natasha Hunt's Emotional Comeback: A Journey to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup

Natasha Hunt shares her emotional journey and determination as she secures her spot in England's squad for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.

Owen Farrell Leads British & Irish Lions Against First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne Clash
Rugby

Owen Farrell Leads British & Irish Lions Against First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne Clash

Owen Farrell captains the British & Irish Lions in a historic match against the First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne. Discover the team line-ups and key insights.

BBC Enhances Premiership Women's Rugby Coverage for 2025-27 Seasons
Rugby

BBC Enhances Premiership Women's Rugby Coverage for 2025-27 Seasons

BBC Sport expands its coverage of Premiership Women's Rugby, streaming matches weekly and broadcasting key games live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Hannah Dallavalle Thrives in New Role Post-Captaincy: A Fresh Chapter in Welsh Rugby
Rugby

Hannah Dallavalle Thrives in New Role Post-Captaincy: A Fresh Chapter in Welsh Rugby

Hannah Dallavalle shares her journey post-captaincy, focusing on her role in the Wales rugby team and her aspirations for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Fearless Valetini: Australia's Key to Overcoming the Lions in Melbourne Showdown
Rugby

Fearless Valetini: Australia's Key to Overcoming the Lions in Melbourne Showdown

Discover how Rob Valetini, Australia's powerhouse, is pivotal in the Wallabies' strategy against the British and Irish Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

British & Irish Lions Bolster Squad with Scottish Trio for Crucial Matches
Rugby

British & Irish Lions Bolster Squad with Scottish Trio for Crucial Matches

The British & Irish Lions have added Scottish stars Darcy Graham, Rory Sutherland, and Ewan Ashman to their squad for upcoming matches against Pasifika XV and Australia.

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad: Hunt and Scarratt Lead the Charge
Rugby

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 Squad: Hunt and Scarratt Lead the Charge

England's Rugby World Cup 2025 squad features veterans Natasha Hunt and Emily Scarratt, aiming for glory on home soil.

James O'Connor Returns to Wallabies Squad for Epic Clash Against British and Irish Lions
Rugby

James O'Connor Returns to Wallabies Squad for Epic Clash Against British and Irish Lions

James O'Connor rejoins the Wallabies squad for the upcoming Test series against the British and Irish Lions, bringing experience and excitement to the team.

Load More

We use essential cookies to make our site work. With your consent, we may also use non-essential cookies to improve user experience and analyze website traffic. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy.