Van Graan credits stand-out performers as Bath soar to top

REACTION: Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan hailed the performance of skipper Finn Russell in his team’s 38-17 Gallagher Prem victory over Gloucester at a sold-out Rec.

The British and Irish Lions flyhalf, who kicked 13 points, spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin early in the second half but came back to close the game down after Gloucester scored 17 points to cut the deficit to 28-17.

Van Graan said: “If you lose your 10, that’s pretty pivotal. Finn is one of the best players in the world and was our captain on the evening, but I thought we remained calm.

“When he came back on, we also put on the last four impact guys. I thought tactically we got it spot on. Ultimately, we took the game away from them.”

He added: “Defensively Finn was excellent tonight and his kicking game is so good that you’ve just got to expect that of him.

“You know, he’s been away from rugby for 10 weeks, on holiday, and then he had to regain his fitness, and he comes and delivers that for 78 minutes.”

There was also an eye-catching performance at lock from 23-year-old Ewan Richards, scorer of two of Bath’s five tries.

“I thought Ewan was fantastic,” said Van Graan.

“That chase for his first try was really, really good, and that was a beautiful line that he ran for his second try.

“He has knocked on the door for quite a while. I think he showed again tonight, playing the full 80 minutes, that our (player development) system works.

“He’s been the Premiership Cup captain and he’s led them very well, but ultimately he wants to play in the first team and he certainly took his opportunity tonight.”

Bath land the killer blow to end any Gloucester comeback hopes 🥊 pic.twitter.com/ASt3FlbRLq

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Although Van Graan would not be drawn on Richards’ prospects of an England cap, he added: “I’d say he certainly has the potential. He can play four, five, six, and eight. When he gets the opportunity, he needs to use it – he certainly did that tonight.”

Henry Arundell also caught the eye, with Van Graan adding: “He’s coming to the club wanting to get better.

“I signed him for his out-and-out speed. He’s got special ability, and what people won’t have seen is how hard he has worked in the 13 weeks since we started – on his defence and on his high-ball catching.”

Gloucester director of rugby George Skivington said: “My feeling now is that the boys showed good character. There was the opportunity to completely fold and get blown away, and actually, we managed to swing the momentum in the first 20 of the second half.

“Barring a bit of inaccuracy, we might have nicked another try and maybe made it a bit tighter and pushed Bath a little harder for the last 15 minutes.

“Bath were just very good in the first half when they scored the four tries.”

Centre Will Joseph was one of the plusses for Skivington, who said: “Will was great. He’s one of the many signings we’ve made, and we’re hoping to get him back to his best. He’s slowly but surely showing it. He showed a few things tonight at the toughest place to come.”