Finn Russell: Fly-half revelling in playing in Bath and targets trophies
- Published
Finn Russell is playing in the Premiership for the first time with Bath, after five years with Racing 92 in France
After five years playing in Paris, fly-half Finn Russell has been getting used to a much different way of life over the past few months - settling into Bath and a "proper rugby town".
The Scotland and British and Irish Lions player joined as the club's marquee signing this season and made his highly anticipated arrival after the World Cup.
Since stepping out at the Recreation Ground for his debut in October Russell has missed just one game, and it is no coincidence his arrival has tallied with a growing confidence that is oozing from the team's performances and results.
"I love it here at the Rec. They sell it out pretty much every week I think and the fans get right behind the team, it's the first time playing for a team that the city is fully behind I think," Russell told BBC Radio Bristol.
"In Glasgow there's obviously football there and in Paris it's such a big city - the Stade Francais and PSG - so there's a lot of other things going on. Whereas here in Bath it's a proper rugby town, it's great fun to be playing for a team that's got that."
The move from Racing 92 to Bath marks the first time Russell has played in the Premiership, having begun his career at Glasgow Warriors in his native Scotland before his high-profile move to France in 2018.
Despite having 75 caps for his country and making more than 150 appearances for his clubs, the change to a new league has forced the 31-year-old to change too.
"It's different. I've not played in the URC [United Rugby Championship] in five and a half years so when I finished up there I would have been 24 or 25, so I was still starting out in my career," Russell said.
"Then having five seasons in Paris, it's a long season there. There's 14 teams, that's four more than here so that's at least eight games extra.
"The weather is slightly different here than being over in Paris and having the indoor arena, but I think that's all part of the experience.
"It's made me adapt a little bit and maybe slightly change my mentality around the game, and the style of play that I'm trying every week, which has been another challenge for me - and it's good for me learning and developing as a player."
Russell has played almost every minute of the seven matches he's started for Bath so far this season
While Russell, his partner and young daughter were "really settled in France", life there was still a challenge - particularly speaking a different language.
"Getting back here - it's obviously still slightly different to Scotland, we're still on our own to an extent down here as our family is up the road but - it's definitely easier to get up and down," he said.
"My partner has settled in really well, she's been able to integrate into the group of the girls - a large part of that will be from the language in France, it was a lot harder for them to get settled in.
"It's made it easier for me that she's settled in so well. My daughter has got classes that she's going to, gymnastics and swimming and stuff, so it's been good so far.
"I think it's also helped the way that we're getting quite a few good results in the league and in Europe - we had a good one at the weekend - that obviously helps life day-to-day."
'A team still growing'
Results on the pitch really have been transformative for Bath this campaign.
The arrival of director of rugby Johann van Graan in 2022 marked a major turning point and, while Russell might be the influential leader Bath have been crying out for, there is a real strength in depth that includes South Africa international Thomas du Toit, England centre Ollie Lawrence and club captain Ben Spencer.
Yet this is a team getting to know one another and, as Russell believes, one that can still get better.
"I'm still getting used to the players, they're still getting used to me and how we play. We're taking it week-by-week which for me is the right way to be, we're not getting too ahead of ourselves, we're not getting too carried away," Russell said.
"We're still growing, still building which is a great place to be with the results we've had."
Fly-half Russell's partnership with scrum-half Spencer (left) has been paying off for Bath
Russell's partnership with scrum-half Spencer has also gelled quickly into a key component in Bath's success. Spencer has cited Russell for bringing "confidence" to the squad, and the Scot said he spoke to the number nine immediately when he arrived.
"I said I'll take control of the game and organise the attack and get everything like that ready and you can play your game, and he's been playing great this year," he said.
"It's helped me out a lot actually with the control of the game, kicking, he's taken a lot of that from me which has been really helpful for me settling in."
While Russell might be known for his gameplay and trickery with the ball, he insists his role is all about letting others in the team shine.
"My job as a 10 is just to make the other boys look good - whether that's from an offload or a nice simple pass, I'm happy to do both of them.
"As long as those boys are happy and doing their thing it makes it easier for me."
'We want to win'
Next up for Bath is a trip to Cardiff for their second Champions Cup pool game on Saturday, with a mouth-watering match against Russell's former club Racing looming in January. Bath last reached the knockout stages of the competition in 2015.
"I'll just have to face that [Racing match] when it comes. I know the players individually, so I can try and give an input there, but I think we'll just be focusing on us and trying to progress and build as we are doing this season," Russell added.
Bath also sit second in the Premiership and, after two years struggling near the bottom, look like real contenders once again.
Russell might not be the type of person who writes targets for himself at the start of each season, but he has come to Bath for one reason - to help the club start to win big again.
"Every team is in the competition to try and win it and get some silverware, I would say that's where we are as a team and as a player I'd love to be part of that," he said.
"Myself personally and as a team we're definitely driving to try and win something."