Finn Russell’s Bath take on Edinburgh at the semi-final stage of EPCR Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon. Image: © Craig Watson –
www.craigwatson.co.uk 
IF Finn Russell were an ordinary mortal, he might well have spent the last fortnight fretting futilely about factors beyond his control. Instead, as the Bath fly-half prepares to face Edinburgh in Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final at the Hive, it would appear he is remaining as serenely laidback as ever.
In the eyes of many, the appointment of Russell’s erstwhile on-field rival and fierce critic Johnny Sexton as a British & Irish Lions assistant coach has called into question the Scotland stand-off’s chances of selection for this summer’s tour to Australia, and provoked a lot of worry on his behalf. Russell went on the last Lions tour and Sexton did not – a choice which the Irishman said he could not understand. His own omission “kills me to this day”, Sexton said last year.
We will find out next Thursday, when the Lions squad is announced, what impact – if any – the inclusion of Sexton in the coaching team has had on Russell’s chances. Speaking earlier today, however, Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan insisted that his star player – and indeed the club as a whole – remained unfazed by the controversy.
Premier Sports to live broadcast final stages of 2025 Howden Melrose Sevens
Hamish Watson to return for at least one more season
Challenge Cup: Sean Everitt wary of ‘world class’ Finn Russell but warns Bath are no one-man team
“I think one of the key bits around Finn is he’s just always himself,” said the South African, who is now in his third season with the English Premiership side. “He’s very focused on Bath.
“I remember my very first conversation with Finn: he said that he absolutely loves rugby and he loves playing. So if it’s up to him, he’ll play every single minute of every single game. As I’ve said before, he’s one of the ultimate team men and he’ll just get it done, whatever’s the most important for the team.
“From a Lions point of view, we as a group said you’ve got to play well at club level and international level. But it’s not something that we or any player can control.
“It’ll be amazing if we get some players from our club playing for Allianz. If we don’t, then we don’t.
“But he’s just been himself. From my side, I think from a consistency point of view, he’s once again one of the best tens in the world.”
Russell seems certain to start against Edinburgh on Saturday, while two of his Scottish team-mates – Pierre Schoeman and Jamie Ritchie – appear just as sure to line up against him after sitting out last weekend’s URC draw at Zebre. Van Graan coached Schoeman and his older brother much earlier in their career and is looking forward to renewing acquaintances.
“Husky, as I call him – I don’t know what the Scots call him!,” he said of the fans’ favourite. “Both Juan Schoeman, who was here at Bath, and Pierre and I all went to the same school. They are obviously much younger than I am, but I coached Pierre when he was still at school so I’ve known him for a very long time. I know the family pretty well.
“I’ve got a soft spot for him. He’s a phenomenal player, not only for the Bulls in his earlier years but for what he’s done for Edinburgh and specifically Scotland. In my view, he’s become one of Scotland’s best players and I’m sure if he’s selected for Edinburgh this weekend he will perform for them.
“He’s got mad moments in him, but he’s always had that. If I think back to the Bulls game a few weeks ago, he was the guy who got the last poach. He’s developed his game so much and he’s known for his ball-carrying ability.
“He’s a great human being and, as I say, I’ve got a soft spot for him and he’s certainly become a very good international rugby player.”
Bath travel north today having won their last eight games, many by large scores and in some style. No winning run goes on forever, but Van Graan thinks the key to extending this one a bit longer is to maintain the self-critical spirit that runs throughout the West Country club.
“We’ve got a saying at the club: we go back to zero on Monday,” he explained. “So whether we’ve won or we’ve lost, we review the game, take our learnings.
“When we win, it’s never too high. When we lose, it’s never too low. And I think sports have taught us that a week is a long time.
“So, control the things that we can and try and get better.
“We lost one or two line-outs close to the goal line last week, so we want to improve there. We conceded a try with a yellow card and we’re very proud of our performances when we are down a man, so there’s potentially something to improve there.
“And then it’s acknowledging the things that we’ve done well, because in my view, we’re playing good rugby. We’re playing an all-round game, very good set-piece.
“Our defence has been immaculate throughout the season. Yes, we’ve conceded some tries, but we’ve still got the best defensive record in the Premiership.
“And then the thing that’s impressed me the most is the willingness of our ball-carriers to get the ball in their hands. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.
“You’ll win some games, you’ll lose some games.As the head of rugby, the thing I’m concerned about is are we getting better? Are we doing what we say we’re going to do? This playing group has given us some amazing moments already this season.”
Bath have already won the Premiership Rugby Cup this season. They are favourites to win the Challenge Cup – Lyon and Racing 92 are the other clubs through to the last four – and they are safely through to the league play-offs. If Edinburgh are to deny them the second leg of that possible treble, they will surely have to do more to put Russell off his stride than all that Lions hullabaloo has managed.
Our Edinburgh-based experts advise both individuals and businesses across a range of sectors, providing accountancy, audit and assurance, business advisory, tax and VAT services. Founded in 1855, Saffery is the 15th largest accountancy firm in the UK by turnover and has had a presence in Edinburgh for over 30 years. Website: www.saffery.com