Will Johann van Graan's villain become a hero at Twickenham?
SPOTLIGHT: Bath and Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell is relishing the unusual prospect of being a Twickenham hero in Saturday’s English Premiership Final against Leicester.
Russell is used to being regarded as a villain by fans at the English national stadium on his international visits with Scotland.
But the British and Irish Lions No.10 can expect vociferous backing from Bath’s travelling army of fans this weekend as his team go in search of their first English top-flight title since 1996.
Russell kicked 14 points to help Bath beat West Country rivals Bristol 34-20 in the semifinals, securing their second successive final appearance.
“It is always good playing in front of a sold-out stadium,” said the 32-year-old playmaker.
“Having your home fans there, hopefully, the majority of tickets are Bath fans, that will be special.
“I know the other side of playing at Twickenham. Usually, when I am there, it is 70-odd thousand fans against me.”
Russell is determined to help Bath make amends for last season’s final loss, a painful 21-25 defeat against Northampton.
“I think that motivation has been there for everyone,” Russell said. “After getting that final and losing it last year, it is always quite tough to come back in that next year.
“But I think everyone came back in pre-season in good shape and kind of ripped in straight away.”
Bath, who came top of the regular-season Premiership table, are chasing a treble, having already won the European Challenge Cup and the Premiership Rugby Cup.
Johann van Graan’s side finished 11 points clear of second-placed Leicester and Russell called on them to secure the long-awaited title at Twickenham this weekend.
“At the start of the year, the goal was to win the Premiership. We have gotten ourselves in a good spot just now to hopefully go and do that,” he said.
“We have almost got back to where we wanted to be and hopefully can go one step further this year.”
