Russell’s return is a boost for title hopes
FINN Russell has returned from injury to reinforce the closing stages of Bath’s challenge for the Gallagher Premiership title.
The Scotland fly-half limped off early on European duty against Exeter on April 6 with groin damage that was described as “significant”, raising the prospect he could miss the rest of the season.
But he has been restored to Bath’s starting line-up for their Premiership trip to Newcastle on Friday and will partner Ben Spencer at half-back.
Russell’s availability comes at a crucial time for the club as they target a play-off place in one of the most competitive seasons in the league’s history.
Bath are third in the table, but sit just one point clear of fifth-placed Harlequins with two rounds of the competition remaining.
Russell’s creative brilliance has been instrumental in their climb out of the doldrums to become serious contenders for Saracens’ crown, while his return is also a boost for Scotland ahead of their summer tour to North and South America.
Bath make two changes to their forwards from the contest against Saracens last month, Tom Dunn and Thomas du Toit starting, and moving Niall Annett and Will Stuart to the replacements’ bench.
Beno Obano is named at loosehead, retaining his jersey for his sixth consecutive start since the Six Nations window.
Quinn Roux and Charlie Ewels retain their positions at lock from a fortnight ago.
Boss Johann van Graan also names an unchanged back row in the form of Ted Hill, Sam Underhill and Alfie Barbeary.
Alongside Spencer and Russell in the backs, Joe Cokanasiga and Will Muir play on the wings.
Cameron Redpath comes into the starting XV, accompanied by Ollie Lawrence in the midfield, with Matt Gallagher completing the starting line-up at full-back.
Joining Annett and Stuart on the bench, Juan Schoeman is named as replacement loosehead.
Jacques du Plessis, Miles Reid and Josh Bayliss complete the forwards in a six-to-two bench split. Louis Schreuder and Orlando Bailey are named as replacement backs.
For Newcastle, Bath-bound Guy Pepper lines up in the back row for the bottom-of-the-table Falcons.
Gallagher Premiership officials have confirmed that the 2024/25 campaign will kick-off over the weekend of Friday, September 20 to Sunday, September 22.
There is no Rugby World Cup to plan around this year, but with just 18 rounds of regular-season action due to only ten sides being in the league, the Premiership will get under way slightly later than it normally would.
The 2024/25 campaign will finish with the Premiership Final on Saturday, June 14, 2025 – just one week ahead of the British & Irish Lions playing Argentina in Dublin with a host of Premiership players hoping to bag a place ahead of the tour to Australia.
For the first time, all 93 matches will also be broadcast on TNT Sports or Discovery+ meaning fans will be able to watch all the action on just one streaming service.
The full fixture list for the 2024/25 season will be released on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, although the exact date of fixtures will likely be confirmed at a later date due to the broadcasters selecting the games they wish to show live on their primary channels.
Ollie Chessum is set to miss England’s summer tour after being ruled out for the rest of the season through injury. Leicester have not confirmed the specific issue, but believe Chessum should be ready for the start of next season.