Bath employer downplays Finn Russell injury worries after semi-final sway Bristol

Bath employer Johann van Graan has actually downplayed injury worries over Finn Russell, firmly insisting that the fly fifty percent was simply taking care of ache when he hopped off late in the Premiership semi-final sway Bristol.

The hosts fought back after a rapid and angry very first fifty percent from Bristol to reserve their area in the Premiership last momentarily straight year, with Russell typically influential in a 34-20 win.

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The Scotland fly half, readied to excursion Australia with the British and Irish Lions this summer season, aided transform the trend in mix with half-back companion Ben Spencer as Bath powered clear to establish a conference with either Leicester or Sale following Saturday.

The 32-year-old showed up to provide Van Graan, and possibly Lions train Andy Farrell, factor to stress as he left prior to completion of the video game showing off a big contusion on his left leg, with the Scot in noticeable pain also while trading verbals with the Bristol group and grinning.

But Van Graan has actually transferred to ease fears of an injury, worrying that he anticipates Russell to be fit as Bath seek to finish a 29-year await a top-flight title.

“Multiple parts of his body are cramping,” Van Graan said as his side took a step closer to a possible treble. “He put in some effort, I thought. His goalkicking was phenomenal, the chases that he put in too. He was still cramping in the changing room but there’s no reason to suppose he won’t be fine.

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“It was amazing how many guys on both sides went down with cramp. It just showed the effort that both teams put in. We worked incredibly hard to get into this position, to get back to Twickenham.”

Bath were beaten finalists last year, pushing Northampton close at Twickenham despite Beno Obano’s early sending off.

Their depth was on full display as they rallied to beat their rivals on a raucous Friday night at The Rec, with back rows Guy Pepper, Miles Reid and Ted Hill all producing standout performances even in the absence of the suspended Sam Underhill.

The impact of Springboks tighthead Thomas du Toit also proved key, with the South Africa international relieving a possible Lions starter in Will Stuart to further illustrate the options on offer to Van Graan.

“That’s a Premiership semi-final for you,” the Bath train discussed. “We knew this was going to be a tough game and we picked a 23 that we believe will get the job done.

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“I thought at 34-13, we got some momentum but Bristol is a good team. They kept on attacking and it’s never dead on 34-20. It was some game of rugby. We knew that we were going to be stretched but we actually defended pretty well.

“At half-time we spoke about our game and composure. It shows that we are a team that is fluid and adaptable. We made one or two tactical changes and then our fitness came through, our hunger, our will to win.”

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