Bath Rugby boss Johann van Graan has confirmed that star fly-half Finn Russell is battling a calf injury and remains a doubt for Saturday’s crucial encounter against Leicester Tigers at the Recreation Ground. Russell, who missed the recent 22-19 defeat to Bristol Bears, was withdrawn from training last week as a precaution to protect his fitness following Bath’s secured place in the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals.
With the final regular-season match holding major implications, the winner will clinch the coveted home semi-final spot for the following weekend. Northampton Saints have already secured their home semi-final after a thrilling 36-32 victory over Gloucester, but Bath and Leicester now vie for the remaining top-two finish that has historically been key to Premiership success. Since the play-offs began in 2002/03, only four teams outside the top two have gone on to become champions, and no team finishing third has lifted the trophy.
Van Graan offered an update on Russell’s condition after the narrow Bristol loss, which was decided by a missed 56-meter penalty from full-back Santi Carreras: “He has a tight calf. We pulled him out of training early in the week. Since we have already qualified for the semi-finals, which are two weeks away, we decided not to take any risks. We will monitor his progress next week and decide whether he plays against Leicester or if we rest him another week.”
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In Russell’s absence against Bristol, Ciaran Donoghue stepped in, marking only his second appearance of the season as he returns from a preseason ACL injury sustained against Munster. Should Russell miss the Leicester game, either Donoghue or Argentine international Carreras would compete for the vital number 10 jersey in what will effectively serve as a quarter-final showdown.
Van Graan remains confident, stating: “It is in our hands, and we are playing at home on Saturday.”