Finn Russell returns for Bath in final pre-season friendly

Scotland and Lions star Finn Russell has been named as Bath’s starting fly-half in their final pre-season friendly against his former club Glasgow Warriors at Old Anniesland tonight (Friday).

Russell has been rested up until now, missing the friendly games against Perpignan and Bedford Blues and the PREM Rugby Cup defeat to Sale Sharks.

But Bath have brought him back in to pull the strings at 10 against URC powerhouses Glasgow, with the start of the Gallagher PREM season only a week away.

The 33-year-old is joined in the starting line-up by No.8 Josh Bayliss, while two other Scotland internationals – new prop signing Jamie Bhatti and centre Cam Redpath are on the bench.

He is partnered at half-back by South African Bernard van der Linde, with England duo Max Ojomoh and Ollie Lawrence combining in midfield.

Johann van Graan has wasted no time in reintroducing Santi Carreras to a blue, black and white jersey, despite his recent heavy workload with Argentina.

Carreras’ return at full-back sees Tom de Glanville shunted to the left wing, with Joe Cokanasiga out wide on the right.

Beno Obano, who is set to embark on his final season with Bath before his move to Pau next summer, packs down in the front row with Dan Frost and fit-again England tight-head Will Stuart.

Charlie Ewels will lead the team from the second row, alongside Ted Hill, while Bayliss is accompanied in the back row by two more internationals in Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill.

The game kicks off at 19:30 tonight at Old Anniesland and can be watched lived on Glasgow Warriors YouTube page.

Bath Rugby: 1 Beno Obano, 2 Dan Frost, 3 Will Stuart, 4 Ted Hill, 5 Charlie Ewels (c), 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Josh Bayliss, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 10 Finn Russell, 11 Tom de Glanville, 12 Max Ojomoh, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 15 Santi Carreras

Replacements (alphabetical): Jamie Bhatti, Tom Carr-Smith, Ieuan Davies, Ciaran Donoghue, Dan du Preez, Tom Dunn, Austin Emens, Arthur Green, Archie Griffin, Charlie Griffin, Jack Harrison, Will Jeanes, Scott Kirk, Ross Molony, Cameron Redpath, Miles Reid, Ewan Richards, Quinn Roux, George Timmins, Kepueli Tuipulotu, Claudius Wheeler, Jack Woods