An early Christmas present for Bath fans as Finn Russell has been revealed as the club’s latest signing ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The 30-year-old playmaker will make the switch from Racing 92 to Bath following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
‘World-class’ talent
Head of Rugby Johann van Graan praised his new recruit as ‘world-class’ and added that the club’s ability to attract the player is a testament to how much they have grown recently.
“Finn is a world-class player who will significantly add to our squad on and off the field,” van Graan said.
“To be able to attract players of Finn’s quality to Bath Rugby is a credit to how far we have come as a club and a group since 11 July.
🎁 𝗔𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝗮 𝗕𝗜𝗚 𝗼𝗻𝗲! 🎁
A man who doesn't really need an introduction…
Welcome to #BathRugby, @Scotlandteam & @lionsofficial fly-half @finn_russell! 💙 pic.twitter.com/M4Lw6uDZVJ
— Bath Rugby (@BathRugby) December 20, 2022
“We look forward to welcoming his experience, leadership and expertise to the Blue, Black and White.”
New challenge
Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence and Alfie Barbeary have all committed their long-term futures to Bath, with Russell’s signing adding further firepower to the Premiership side.
The Premiership club did not specify the length of Russell’s contract; it has been reported to be worth around £1 million a year.
The Scotland international joined Paris-based Racing in 2018 and was a driving force behind them reaching the Champions Cup final two years later when they lost to Exeter.
“I know players at Bath who speak highly of the environment, and the direction the club is going in is something I want to be a part of,” Russell said.
“I have enjoyed my time at Racing 92, and I’ve learnt a lot.
“Now is the right time for a new challenge in a new league, with the aim of moving Bath back to the top end of the Premiership and competing for domestic and European titles.”
Russell’s career
The British and Irish Lions flyhalf scored 272 points in 66 games for Racing 92 in the Top 14, with a further 27 appearances in the Champions Cup for the Parisians.
Before moving to Paris, he won the PRO12 with the Glasgow Warriors in 2015 and was selected for Scotland’s World Cup squad that same year.
To date, he represented Scotland 65 times and earned one test cap for the British and Irish Lions in 2021, but he also toured with the squad in 2017.
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