We are now down to two teams to determine the champions of the 2024/25 Premiership Rugby season. Bath Rugby and Leicester Tigers have booked their place in the Grand Finale, with a sea of blue, black and white and green, white and red supports set to paint the home of English rugby in a magnificent multi-coloured crowd.

Friday night at The Rec was vintage Bath. Trailing 13–6 at the break, the West Country side roared back in emphatic fashion as four second‑half tries from Ted Hill, Joe Cokanasiga, Will Muir and Max Ojomoh, all expertly orchestrated and converted by Finn Russell as the Flying Scotsman, snatched the game at 34–20, from a spirited Bristol Bears side.

It was a real statement from Johann van Graan’s men, who chase down the unprecedented treble after prior success in the Premiership Rugby Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup. Bath’s tactical flexibility and resilience look like the perfect antidote to the pressure of a final, and they’ve now punched their ticket to Allianz Stadium with swagger, nearly three decades after their last English league triumph, all the way back in the 1995/96 season.

Finn Russell of Bath Rugby during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Bath Rugby at Kingsholm Stadium on 10 November 2023 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

Over in Leicestershire on Saturday, Leicester Tigers wrestled a bruising 21–16 win from Sale Sharks at Welford Road in front of a raucous home crowd. Adam Radwan’s first‑half brace burned early daylight, only for Sale, led by the talismanic George Ford and bulldozing Rob du Preez, to drag the contest level late on. But a moment of solo brilliance from replacement Izaia Perese proved decisive, carving through tired defenders to seal a spot in next Saturday’s showpiece.

So here we are with the grand old clubs, Bath and Leicester, who will reignite the archaic at Allianz Stadium this Saturday, in a decider that promises history, heart and high stakes. Bath carry the weight of expectation as title hopeful, yet Leicester, under Michael Cheika’s sharp tutelage, have reinvented themselves from season underachievers to title challengers.

Michael Cheika, Head Coach of Leicester Tigers during the Premiership Rugby Content Capture Day at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on September 4th 2023. – PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

Two sides reborn in opposite styles: one in power and polish, the other in grit and guile, expect sparks and perhaps a few singes along the Twickenham turf. With the dust settled on the semi-finals, lets take a look back at our picks for the Team of the Week. There’s an honourable mention to Leicester’s Izaia Perese’s heroics, yet the Australian misses the grade in what was a stellar week for the outside backs.

TEAM OF THE WEEK: PREMIERSHIP RUGBY SEMI-FINALS

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)

A stunning performance from the fullback, as Freddie Steward is eyeing up a return to the Test match stage this Summer. A try-saving tackle was a stand-out of his game upon the defensive foot, with a second huge hit then causing the Sharks to spill the ball and confirm their defeat. One for Los Pumas to begin their homework on, with Marcus Smith on the Lions tour and George Furbank having a rough road back from multiple recent injuries.

14. Kalaveti Ravouvou (Bristol Bears)

Watching on at the Rec was Ruck Reporter Sam Jess, who was greatly impressed by the Bristol wing for a 9/10 rating despite the losing effort. “The winger showed a calm head and a clean pair of heels to power past the Bath defence to set up Bristol’s try. Moments later, he was yellow-carded for a cynical trip on Spencer. This was the only downside on what was a monster performance as he nearly got the Bears to Twickenham on his own with line-breaks aplenty, as he caused havoc for Bath every time he got the ball.”

13. Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby)

“After a first half full of defence, Ojomoh attacked in space during the second half to wrestle momentum for Bath and scored a try for his efforts.” Sam Jess handed Max Ojomoh 8/10 for his efforts, as the centre was pivotal to Bath’s semi-final success. Rightfully in the discussion for the England tour of Argentina and the USA, as Elliot Daly has been selected for the Lions and Ollie Lawrence continues his long road back from his Achilles injury. Ojomoh and Henry Slade could be the centre partnership this Summer…

12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White (Sale Sharks)

… unless Rekeiti Ma’asi-White has anything to say about it. The Sale Sharks man earned his spot in a recent mini England training camp and is rightfully on the radar of Steve Borthwick. As it’s been mentioned a good bit now, Borthwick will be out to secure his services before the Sea Eagles of Tonga pick him up for Test match contention. Ma’asi-White was a wrecking ball against Leicester, that constantly asked questions of the Tigers defence who struggled to contain his line-breaking abilities.

11. Will Muir (Bath Rugby)

The outside back who is affectionately known around Bath as ‘Horse’ due to his unique running style, raced out of the stables in the West Country derby. Muir has been one such player in and around the England camp but has struggled to dent the Test match conversation, yet that could all change this Summer. Jess handed the flyer a 7/10 in his ratings; “After struggling in the first half, Muir was back to his best with a brilliant defensive second half while also collecting a try.”

10. Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers)

We have one more match in store for the two-time World Cup winning Springbok in Leicester colours, before Handre Pollard heads out of the East Midlands along with a sea of departing legends. Despite having a slow afternoon from the tee in the narrow battle with Sale, Pollard’s cross-field kick to set up Adam Radwan’s try and the 50:22 to pin the Sharks under pressure were stand-out moments from the boot. Pollard’s man-management was once again a decisive strength for the East Midlanders.

9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby)

Ben Spencer has now led Bath to back-to-back Premiership Rugby Finals, with the England halfback hopeful that his side can get the job done this weekend. Once again drawn against East Midlands opponents after defeat to Northampton Saints last season, Spencer was brilliant in the semi-final win, as he ran out a clinic for any aspiring scrum half. “Spencer was a key man in defence, often chasing his heart out to cover the Bears’ passing channels, The captain added his usual kicking prowess to put his side in the right positions while also spotting gaps in the Bears’ defence. 8/10” Wrote Sam Jess.

1. Nicky Smith (Leicester Tigers)

After earning the accolade of the number one shirt in the Premiership Rugby Team of the Season, Nicky Smith entered this match with an added spring around the park. Excelling in the lose, the Welshman drove the Tigers around the pitch with multiple high-octane carries, with each collision making a solid dent in the Sale defensive line. Coupled with his impressive scrummaging effort and it was a memorable outing for the loose-head.

2. Julian Montoya (Leicester Tigers)

Like Handre Pollard, Julian Montoya is by all accounts departing Leicester for pastures new at the end of the season. One last ride with the club sees the legendary Pumas man back in the Premiership Final, after a stellar scrummaging effort left the Sale pack undone in the early goings. Montoya orchestrated Leicester’s first half dominance of the Sharks at scrum-time, with Luke Cowan-Dickie unstuck on multiple occasions by the Argentine.

3. WillGriff John (Sale Sharks)

Saving the scrum for the men from Greater Manchester, WillGriff John was deployed off the bench and had an immediate impact at the set-piece. Coming on for England prospect and Lions camp member Asher Opoku-Fordjour after a tough outing, John got the Sharks pack back on track which laid the foundations for an exciting end to the action at Welford Road.

4. James Dun (Bristol Bears)

Engine room personified by the Bristol Bears man, who shone in the close quarters and the lose across the hard-fought semi-final. “Led from the front and showed his eye for a try with a brilliant score.” Jess’ explanation of the lock’s effort summarised his performance, that had the critics raving with a weekly score of 8/10. Stealing the show from Premiership Team of the Week member Joe Batley, Dun was the Bristol lock that looked out on a mission this past weekend.

5. Quinn Roux (Bath Rugby)

Another lock from the West County derby, who was bestowed an 8/10 in RUCK’s official match day player ratings. There was plenty of plaudits for the titanic second row; “Showed some big physicality with his carries and was a monster at the line-out in defence, and made some immense last-gasp tackles.” Jess wrote.

6. Steven Luatua (Bristol Bears)

A man who thrives on the big stage, Steven Luatua once again proved his value with a commanding performance, even as the Bears fell short on the scoreboard. From the outset, he brought intensity and purpose, constantly scanning for space and creating opportunities with his intelligent running lines and sharp decision-making. In a match where his side needed leaders to step up, Luatua led by example, demonstrating his class and commitment throughout. It was a display that underlined why he’s considered one of the Bears’ most reliable performers in high-pressure situations.

7. Dan du Preez (Sale Sharks)

Dan du Preez came off the bench and immediately made his presence felt, delivering the kind of performance fans have come to expect from him. He brought raw physicality and energy to the game, throwing himself into carries with trademark aggression and consistently getting over the gain line. Defensively, he was just as impactful, making dominant tackles and disrupting opposition momentum.

8. Olly Cracknell (Leicester Tigers)

The bruising number eight delivered a powerhouse performance, topping the carry charts with 20 hard-earned runs. Time and again, Cracknell drove into the heart of the Sale defence, consistently making metres and setting a physical tone for his side. His relentless work rate and uncompromising style were key in keeping the momentum going, as the Tigers battled their way to the Premiership Final.

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