Finn Russell’s third season at the Rec underscored why he has welcomed the comparison to Lionel Messi – a player of exceptional talent, capable of moments of brilliance and commanding games on his own terms.
However, while Messi boasts a trophy-laden career, Russell’s individual brilliance has not always translated into silverware. Last season, Bath Rugby reached both domestic and European semi-finals but fell short of the final hurdle. They were defeated 38-26 by Bordeaux in France during the European Champions Cup semi-final and lost a dramatic 27-26 match against Exeter Chiefs at the Rec.
After playing a pivotal role in Bath’s treble-winning 2024/25 campaign, Russell now faces the challenge of replicating those heights. Reflecting on last season, he pointed out that reaching two semi-finals is a mark of a successful season, though Bath’s ambitions are greater.
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“Two semi-finals – it’s not too bad for a season, but for us, our expectations and our goals are to win titles,” Russell said.
“Having reached two semi-finals, looking back, we were just a few decisions away from reaching the Premiership final and the Champions Cup final. While we didn’t achieve everything we set out to do last season, overall, we can’t be too hard on ourselves. Two semi-finals isn’t bad at all.”
Russell also commented on his fitness and playing time, noting his desire to feature more consistently in coming seasons. Injury kept him sidelined during Bath’s narrow semi-final loss to Exeter, a defeat that was particularly tough since it likely represented the last Premiership play-off tie at the Rec before stadium redevelopment begins later this season.
“For me, it was easier not playing in that game. It sounds strange because rugby is a team sport, but being out made it easier for me personally,” he explained.
“Now that we’ve had a few months to reflect and recover, we can take individual learnings and start fresh for the new season.”
Another significant challenge for Bath this season is the departure of powerful prop Thomas du Toit, who was instrumental in both attack and defence. Du Toit scored eight tries last season, a remarkable rate for a front-row forward, helping Bath to dominate scrums and strike fear in the opposition close to the try line.
Du Toit has returned to South Africa to play for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship, leaving a substantial void in the Bath squad. Russell acknowledged the impact of his departure but expressed confidence in the emerging talent within the team.
“Thomas was fantastic for Bath, and we’ve got a big gap to fill,” Russell said. “But we have excellent players coming through like Will Stuart, Vilikesa Sela, and Archie Griffin – all very capable of stepping up. He will be missed in some areas, but I believe the boys will prove their worth.”
Bath’s transformation over the past five years is remarkable. Once bottom of the Premiership table, the club is now a competitive force. The upcoming redevelopment of the Rec will increase its capacity to 18,000 and is scheduled to begin at the end of this season. This work will affect Bath’s final two home matches and any potential home play-off semi-final, which would need to be played at an alternative venue if they qualify.
Russell is optimistic about the future despite these disruptions. “It’s exciting and definitely a good place to be,” he concluded.