Finn Russell: Bath fly half reflects on Challenge Cup title win and backs Alfie Barbeary for England call-up

Russell had been to a European final twice before with Racing 92, yet on both occasions the Parisians had to settle for runners-up medals in the Champions Cup. In 2018, Russell replaced All Blacks legend Dan Carter as Racing's resident fly half, and led the French club all the way to the final only to be defeated by Leinster at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.

Russell would return to the promise land two years later, yet it would be Exeter Chiefs that secured their first ever Champions Cup title at Ashton Gate in 2020. After achieving the goal a lucky third time of trying, Russell expressed how much the Challenge Cup title means to the club, yet emphasised the significance to him as an individual, as his long wait to lift a piece of European silverware has finally ended.

"It's brilliant. For me, coming so close with Racing, that's good to get a European title. I think for this group going forward, that tonight was a big step in the right direction to where we want to get to. Lyon were tough, they're a good team. I think we were good tonight, but there's always a lot to work on. So, in terms of getting a European trophy, and being European champions in the Challenge Cup, that is brilliant for us."

"It's been a long time coming for Bath, getting a title like this. I think we've worked so hard to get where we are. The work is not done yet, but I think we've worked so hard to get this trophy, and it's amazing to have it. I think we've also got a lot more to come in the next few weeks in this season. So, it's amazing to get this, but I think we've got a lot of work to do."

The choice of venue could well have played into Bath's favour ahead of the Challenge Cup Final, as the blue, black and whites recently embarked on their 'Big Day Out', to face Bristol at the Principality Stadium for a Premiership fixture. Whilst the Bears took the spoils of a 36-14 win in Cardiff, there's no denying that the Bath's trip to the home of Welsh rugby just earlier this month, prepared them in good stead for when the Challenge Cup title was on the line. Whilst Russell has plentiful experience in the Cardiff city cauldron, the more inexperienced players would have relished the dress rehearsal against their West Country rivals.

"I think for some of the boys, who hadn't played in a stadium like that, they probably did (benefit from the Bristol match). In front of a big crowd, there was more at the Bristol game than there was tonight, for me, I've been here and played in front of a sold out stadium. I think playing in these big games, whether it was the other week against Bristol or tonight, it just gives boys more experience and more confidence for when you have that experience again.

"It's a brilliant stadium, with the roof closed it's a great atmosphere. Tonight, as we probably saw, there was a lot of Bath fans here, which made it almost feel not like a home game, but it felt like we had the support behind us."

Bath now sit in unprecedented waters, as they have completed two thirds an unforgettable trilogy of titles. The Somerset side lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup back in March, have the Challenge Cup trophy in their possession, and sit at the top of the Premiership table with a home semi-final already in the bag.

Russell expressed how there is still plenty more to do, and compared his side to a Scottish club that they met upon the European knockout stage, who went on to book a place in the URC play-offs. Russell's excited to see how his side will push on, and try to bring the Premiership title back to the Rec for the first time in 28 years.

"I think we have a great side, like Edinburgh in the semis (Challenge Cup) are a brilliant side. I think when it comes to knock out rugby, it's always going to be tough. So there's Saracens next weekend, and then there's a semi final. So ,we've got a lot of big games to come through before we even have a look at the (Premiership) trophy. So as bonus for tonight, winning this we've got a lot of work to do before we come to the premiership knockouts, the semis and finals."

There are plenty of milestones in Russell's way, as after a potential treble-winning season in blue, black and white, the Scotsman has been selected to don the iconic red jersey of the British & Irish Lions. Russell is heavily favoured by the bookies and pundits alike to be Andy Farrell's starting fly half for the Test series against Australia, yet the halfback humbly played down the hype, and explained how he needs a solid end to the season in order to oust the England duo of Fin and Marcus Smith to the 10 jersey this Summer.

Russell needs to keep fit and firing with such a critical schedule of fixtures on the horizon, as an injury now would be the hammer blow to his mesmeric season. Russell was asked as to whether he is worried about any injuries ahead of the Lions tour, as former England captain Owen Farrell waits in the wings for a late call-up, as the Racing 92 man is the reported fly half coverage option.

"I think myself and 'Stuey' (Will Stuart), we know that the Lions tour is coming up. From my experience and past experiences, you can't think about that (injuries). You have to make sure you're playing every game. If I want to be in that test side I've got to be playing well at club and hopefully winning more stuff this season, and then go into the Lions from that.

"It's brilliant knowing that it's coming up and being selected for it, but there's so much work to do now, the work doesn't stop. The work kind of only starts from now. Once you're selected, that's brilliant, but the work only starts now. That's at club, and then when we get back together as a group, that starts again for the Lions anyway."

Whilst Russell and Stuart are the selected Bath stars that will head 'down under' this Summer, on the British & Irish Lions tour, plenty of Bath teammates are in the running for an international tour call-up. England head out across the Atlantic this Summer, for a tour of Argentina and the United States set to bring Test match hopefuls through for their England debuts.

England head coach Steve Borthwick recently named a training squad for a two-day camp at Pennyhill Park, with Bath and Northampton Saints players ineligible for seelction due to their European Cup Commitments. An assortment of Bath and Saints players are expected to join the fold before too long, as Russell expressed how he hopes to see plenty of his Bath teammates wear the famous red rose this Summer. However, the Scotsman does not love the idea of taking on his club-mates when the 2026 Six Nations comes around.

"For me, anyway, playing against England as it is, there's a lot of boys here that I believe should be in the England squad. I think Miles (Reid) is one. Alfie (Barbeary) definitely is one, he's been a standout player this year. There's Horse, Will Muir, there's Joe (Cokanasiga), there's Tom de Glanville at fullback, Max Ojomoh at centre, Will Butt, Spenny (Ben Spencer) obviously, he's been in and out.

"I think the team that we've got and how we play it, for me anyway, we play a sort of test match, kind of game in terms of our control and structure of the match. I definitely think there should be a good few of of the Bath boys there in the summer. I might be a little biased, but from the guys that I play with, if they're not there in the come next Six Nations, I'll be quite happy if they're not there and playing against them. But, I think from what these guys do at club, and their confidence and belief that they would then take into the inter the national camp would be incredible."

A stand out name for England's Summer plans is Bath scrum half Ben Spencer, with Russell in agreement in how the halfback should be on the plane to Argentina. The England scrum half ranks have lost their first choice, as Northampton's Alex Mitchell has been called up for the Lions, which opens up the door for Spencer to wrestle control of the nine shirt back in England colours.

"'Spenny' is amazing. He's probably one of the best nines I've played with. I think his kicking game is amazing. His speed of ball is really good. I think tonight he was outstanding. So, for me to play with Spenny and know that he's on my inside, controlling and what he's controlling, allowing me to do my thing on the outside, it's so good. For a 10 anyway, having a nine like Spenny inside, that helps you so much.

"So like I say, for me, I think he's one of the best and the league, if not the best in the league. For me, anyway. There's probably other nines that maybe better at other things. But, I think in terms of what he does, his kicking game is the best in England, if not the world just now. I think he's outstanding at kicking game, and his speed of ball and support lines is up there as well. I think he's one of the best nines in the game just now. That's obviously me playing with him a lot, but I think, what he does and with unseen stuff, he's outstanding."

With two titles already under Bath belts this season, it's certainly been a memorable campaign for the Rec faithful. However, the biggest prize of the season is still up for grabs as Bath pursue their first Premiership title since 1996. It's been an arduous wait for Bath fans to be crowned champions of England, with the buzz around the city palpable ahead of the league's dramatic conclusion.

"I think being here and playing at Bath, it means so much to this city. For us to go out and perform and get two trophies this year, it's amazing. I think it just shows what we try and do for the city. For me anyway, the city gives us energy. The city's all over rugby, and that's why we play the game. That's why we love being here."

"You definitely heard how many Bath fans were there. It's not far from from Bath, to Cardiff, and especially at the end, when we won the game, you could definitely hear that. For us as players, it means so much to us having our fans close to home, coming along and supporting us. I think that shows what it means to the city, for us to get this title today."