Finn Russell eyes Premiership Final redemption as Bath chase down title

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The side from the Southwest will want to go one step further in their bid to become Premiership Champions, following their narrow 25-21 defeat to Northampton Saints this time last year. Scottish fly-half and Bath’s talisman Finn Russell admitted the side's loss in the final last year was difficult to take, but it has only encouraged the squad more to win it this season.

“I think the motivation is there for everyone,” said the number 10. “I remember losing that final last year, and it is always so difficult to come back from something like that. But everyone came back in preseason in good shape, wanting to change that.”

The Blue, Black and White have flourished as the runaway team at the top of the league during the regular season. Adding this to success in both the EPCR Challenge Cup and the Premiership Rugby Cup, it’s been a season of winning for all those involved.

Russell added: “You just have to be the same and almost just go game to game without thinking about how far you’ve got through the season.

“So, it has come quite quickly at this point, but at the start of the year, the aim was to win the Premiership, and now we have gotten into a good spot to hopefully go and do that.”

The fly-half also reflected on his decision to join the side and feels that it was the right decision, with the men in blue, black and white taking leaps and bounds from their bottom of the table 13^th place finish from three seasons ago.

“I know that for me, definitely one of my aims and reasons for coming to Bath was to win trophies.

“For me and the squad, I think we are almost back to where we wanted to be this year and hopefully go one step further this year,” he said.

With the battle of the 10s yet again playing a prevalent part in this year's final, the Russell is looking forward to his battle against both Handre Pollard and the Twickenham crowd.

He highlighted the preparation it takes on a matchday and how he’ll need to adapt the way he plays to get the most out of his side.

When asked if he’s confident about his performance from the boot, he said: “Can I answer that after this weekend?

He added, “For the last few finals, I have been kicking it off the deck in the warm-up instead of the tee.

“It gets me into a better position and feels more relaxed and natural, and I have done that in the Six Nations games against England and Wales.

“I will most likely start this weekend doing the same thing, knocking a couple through the posts off the deck first.”

The Scots influence on the Bath side has been a difference maker, and he would love to lead his side to a first Premiership title since the 1995-96 season.