29 years on and Russell puts Bath back on top

FINN Russell showed why he is paid a king’s ransom as Bath ended 29 years of torment and landed their first Premiership title in nearly three decades.

- ADAM HATHAWAY

The fly-half gave Bath owner Bruce Craig some return on the £ 1 million a year he spent on the club’s marquee player since he joined after the 2023 World Cup.

Russell & Co went close last year and this was another day of drama at a sweltering Twickenham as the hot favourites were taken to the wire by Michael Cheika’s men.

Two late scores from Solomone Kata and Emeka Ilione threatened to derail Bath’s treble bid but the west country men held out at the death.

Russell kicked five out of five for a haul of 13 points and provided the spark that put clear water between the two sides before Tigers’ late fight back.

Leicester were pressing on 50 minutes until Russell produced a great, gambler’s read and intercepted Handre Pollard’s pass inside his own half. Not renowned for his pace, the Scotsman put his foot down but was running out of gas when he hit the Leicester 22. But he had the awareness and skill, with the tank running empty to find centre Max Ojomoh who sprinted in under the posts.

That made it 20-7 and Russell’s penalty on 70 minutes proved the difference between the sides as Leicester's last two scores were in vain.

It was a flat leaving party in the end for two of Leicester’s greatest servants with Ben Youngs and Dan Cole coming off the bench one more time before heading into retirement.

Cole, below. spoiled his own leaving bash by getting yellow carded with 11 minutes left for a late challenge on Russell, after he had kicked the ball on his own 10m line, but Karl Dickson’s decision did look harsh.