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.