Russell should overcome ‘cramp’ for final – Van Graan

After leaving the field with cramp shortly before the semi-final victory against Bristol, Bath fly-half Finn Russell should be fit for the Premiership final on Saturday.

In the final five minutes of their 34-20 victory at The Rec, the Scotland and British and Irish Lions number 10 went limping.

Johann van Graan, the head of rugby at Bath, stated that he had no cause to believe Russell would be unable to play when they take on either Leicester or Sale for the title at Twickenham in a week.

He is in a bit of pain, and Van Graan claimed that it is only cramp at this point because his body is a number of parts.

He put in some effort, he said. I enjoyed his chases and his goal kicking. He’ll be fine, but as of right now, he’s cramping in the changing area.

Bath scored four tries in the second half to escape Bristol and reach their second successive Premiership final despite being 13-6 down at half-time against their West Country neighbors.

After winning the Premiership Rugby Cup and the European Challenge Cup this season, they were agonizingly short against Northampton a year ago, but they will return to London as the undisputed favorites to win their first league title since 1996.

Van Graan predicted that as the match progresses, his team would “love” every second of the following week.

He said, “A final is once-off.” When I was speaking to the coaches earlier today [Friday], we had a quiet moment where it said, “The season is over and you are in decline.”

You can decide whether you win the Premiership or lose the final if you watch the final on Saturday afternoon at whatever time.

Friday’s game had the added spice of a derby, and both the fans and the pitch-side players could tell you that they were anticipating more.

Van Graan said the commentary from the previous match had given his side “motivation” because Bristol had won five of their previous six Premiership games against Bath.

Pat Lam, the rugby director at Bristol, mentioned the high prices for tickets to the Recreation Ground and the lack of roof space, as well as the amount of money Bath had spent on players.

Van Graan added, “I thought the people of Bath were amazing tonight.

Two ears and one mouth, two ears and one mouth, is a very important lesson for me in my life this week, and our team certainly did our talking on the pitch. And they succeeded in serving the city.