Johann van Graan opens up on Finn Russell injury fears after Bath reach Premiership final
Bath playmaker Finn Russell and head of rugby Johann van Graan.
Bath boss Johann van Graan has downplayed fears over Finn Russell’s fitness after he limped off the field in Friday’s Premiership semi-final victory over Bristol Bears.
Russell played a leading role as Johann van Graan’s troops booked their spot in this year’s final courtesy of a 34-20 victory, as he finished with a 14-point contribution courtesy of four conversions.
Forced off in the game’s latter stages
However, the 32-year-old, who has been included in the British Lions squad for their upcoming tour to Australia, was forced off the field in the game’s dying moments after he appeared to take a blow to his left knee.
Russell took the knock following a clear out from James Williams at a ruck and the Scotland international was replaced by Tom Carr-Smith in the 76th minute.
Bath‘s other points came via tries from Ted Hill, Joe Cokanasiga, Will Muir and Max Ojomoh but despite their 14-point triumph, they battled to take control of proceedings as the visitors held a deserved 13-6 lead at half-time.
Russell and half-back partner Ben Spencer led the revival as all the hosts’ tries were scored in the second half and after the match, Van Graan downplayed the extent of his fly-half’s injury.
“He is in a bit of pain, he has got multiple parts of his body cramping. It is only cramp at this stage. He put in some effort today,” said Bath’s head of rugby.
“His goal-kicking was phenomenal and the chases he put in. He will be fine but he is still cramping in the changing rooms as we speak.
“I wanted to keep Finn on but with four minutes to go I took him off. He should be fine for the final.
Waiting on an update
“I haven’t spoken to Rory [Murray, head of medical] yet and we will get an update on the injured lads but it is only cramp at this stage, multiple guys with cramp.
“I believe he will be fine, there is no reason for me to believe any different at this stage.”
Despite Bristol’s impressive start, Van Graan said his charges did not panic when they were trailing at half-time.
“That’s a Premiership semi-final for you,” he explained. “We knew this was going to be a tough game and we picked a 23 that we believe will get the job done.
“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.”
Bath are set to take on the winners of the Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks semi-final which will take place on Welford Road on Saturday.
It is the second successive year that Bath have reached the Premiership final after they suffered a narrow 25-21 defeat in last year’s showpiece match at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
