Finn Russell provides highly-anticipated update after concerning exit

Finn Russell has declared himself fit for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership Final against Leicester Tigers.

The Lions and Scotland fly-half limped off towards the end of Bath’s play-off win against Bristol Bears last Friday but he allayed any fears that he would miss the showpiece match at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

“It was just cramp, it wasn’t anything else. It was quite an intense first half so that took it out of me a little bit. But I’m fine. I trained today and will train as normal on Thursday and will rip into the weekend.”

Bath go into the match against Leicester looking to complete a unique treble, having already won the Premiership Rugby Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, and Russell’s availability will come as a huge relief.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Bath

23 - 21

Full-time

Leicester

All Stats and Data

“I came here to win things,” said Russell, who vowed to put the record straight immediately after last year’s final heartache against Northampton Saints.

“I think as a group we’re going in the right direction to, hopefully, achieving something special.

“We’ve almost got back to where we want to be but, hopefully, we can go one step further.

“I love big games and playing in front of a sold-out Twickenham will be brilliant for us.”

Russell also revealed that a change to his kicking technique is the secret behind his recent success in front of goal, a side of his game that hasn’t always been consistent, particularly for Bath.

The 32-year-old kicked six out of six against the Bears, whereas over the course of the league season his average success rate is a fraction under 80 per cent.

“I kicked well in the last two finals. I started kicking off the deck instead of putting it on the tee for the warm-up. I feel that gets me in a better position kicking the ball and makes me more kind of relaxed and more natural.

“That’s something I changed in the Six Nations after the England game, I did it before going into the Wales game, I think it was. I’ll do that again this weekend and hopefully it’ll be the same outcome.”