In 2023, Grayson made the move to Japan, joining Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Japan Rugby League One. His international ambitions remain on hold, but he continues to develop his game in a new environment while playing an important role for his new club.
Bath Rugby have secured the long-term future of one of world rugby’s premier fly-halves, with Finn Russell signing a new contract that will keep him at The Rec until June 2028.
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The new contract is understood to be worth at least £1 million per season, making it a £3 million commitment over three years.
Russell had been linked with a move away, with both Racing 92 — his former club — and Bristol Bears reportedly interested in luring the mercurial playmaker. But Bath have managed to fend off the competition to keep hold of their marquee No.10.
Russell joined Bath in 2023 on an initial three-year deal and has since made a massive impact. He’s racked up 45 appearances and 420 points across all competitions — including four tries — and finished the 2024/25 season as the Gallagher Premiership’s leading points scorer with 183 points.
That form played a key role in Bath’s historic campaign, as Johann van Graan’s side completed a domestic and European treble. Now, the 32-year-old will remain central to the club’s ambitions for the next three seasons.
“I have loved my time here at Bath. It’s a great team and a great club. We’ve come a long way over the last couple of years, and I am really looking forward to staying here and seeing what the club can achieve,” Russell said.
“The fans have been outstanding since I got here. We’ve had some big results at home and that’s just our way of giving back to the fans and trying to represent them in the right way.
“The way the club is developing and with the young players coming through, the belief and confidence that we’ve got week-to-week is just growing. There are some brilliant new signings coming in as well who will be great additions to the club, and I can’t wait to get started next season.”
Bath’s Head of Rugby, Johann van Graan, hailed the news as a major boost for the club’s long-term project.
“It’s amazing news. Finn is one of the world’s best 10s, a player who performs in the big moments and more importantly he’s an incredible team man and a family man. He is one of the lads, his training is exceptional, and he’s added so much to our group.
“It’s great that he’ll be staying on at Bath Rugby and continuing his journey with the Blue, Black and White.”
With interest from abroad and closer to home brushed aside, Bath fans can now look forward to seeing Russell continue to light up The Rec until at least 2028.
EDITORS PICKS:
Where Are They Now? The 6 Lions Prospects Backed by Sir Ian McGeechan in 2020
Back in 2020, Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan tipped ten rising stars to take the rugby world by storm.
Among them were six British and Irish youngsters, hyped as the future of the game — destined for Lions stardom.
Fast forward to 2025, and just one has made it into Andy Farrell’s Lions squad. RUCK’s Lions content is powered by ISUZU.
So... what happened to the rest? We’ve taken a look back at McGeechan’s picks to see who rose, who stalled, and who vanished from the spotlight.
1. Marcus Smith, England
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Smith was praised for his calmness under pressure, a hallmark of great players. A rapid rise from school rugby to Harlequins, he was seen as a future England star despite not yet being capped.
Smith was praised for his calmness under pressure, a hallmark of great players. A rapid rise from school rugby to Harlequins, he was seen as a future England star despite not yet being capped.
What happened next:
Marcus Smith burst onto the international scene in 2021 and hasn’t looked back. A standout for both England and Harlequins, he lit up the Premiership with his electric performances, playing a pivotal role in Quins’ unforgettable title run.
Marcus Smith burst onto the international scene in 2021 and hasn’t looked back. A standout for both England and Harlequins, he lit up the Premiership with his electric performances, playing a pivotal role in Quins’ unforgettable title run.
That same year, he earned a shock Lions call-up — and made his mark. While competition at fly-half has intensified with George Ford’s resurgence, Smith’s flair and creativity keep him firmly in the mix. Notably, he’s the only player on this list named in the 2025 Lions squad.
2. Caelan Doris, Ireland
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Doris was identified as a special talent, standing out for his ball-carrying and physicality at Leinster. McGeechan expected him to win many Ireland caps.
Doris was identified as a special talent, standing out for his ball-carrying and physicality at Leinster. McGeechan expected him to win many Ireland caps.
What happened next:
Caelan Doris has rapidly become one of the most influential players in Irish rugby. A standout performer during Ireland’s 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam triumph, the Leinster star has gone from strength to strength.
Caelan Doris has rapidly become one of the most influential players in Irish rugby. A standout performer during Ireland’s 2023 Six Nations Grand Slam triumph, the Leinster star has gone from strength to strength.
Regarded as one of the finest No. 8s on the planet, his consistency and leadership saw him tipped as a frontrunner to lead the British & Irish Lions in 2025. However, cruelly, injury has dashed those hopes — for now.
3. Joe Simmonds, England
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Simmonds was seen as an excellent fly-half with impressive game management and kicking skills. He was close to an international call-up.
Simmonds was seen as an excellent fly-half with impressive game management and kicking skills. He was close to an international call-up.
What happened next:
Despite captaining Exeter Chiefs to a Premiership and European double in 2020, Simmonds never fully broke into the England setup, with stiff competition from the likes of Marcus Smith and George Ford. He has since moved to Pau in The Top 14.
Despite captaining Exeter Chiefs to a Premiership and European double in 2020, Simmonds never fully broke into the England setup, with stiff competition from the likes of Marcus Smith and George Ford. He has since moved to Pau in The Top 14.
4. Cameron Redpath, England/Scotland
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
Destined to play for England, Redpath was seen as a rangy, skilled centre with a bright future.
Destined to play for England, Redpath was seen as a rangy, skilled centre with a bright future.
What happened next:
Redpath chose to represent Scotland and made an instant impact in his debut during Scotland’s famous win against England in the 2021 Six Nations. Injuries have hampered his progress, but he remains a player with significant potential for both Bath and Scotland.
Redpath chose to represent Scotland and made an instant impact in his debut during Scotland’s famous win against England in the 2021 Six Nations. Injuries have hampered his progress, but he remains a player with significant potential for both Bath and Scotland.
5. Jamie Dobie, Scotland
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
A promising young scrum-half, Dobie had George Horne and Ali Price ahead of him in the Scotland pecking order.
A promising young scrum-half, Dobie had George Horne and Ali Price ahead of him in the Scotland pecking order.
What happened next:
Dobie has continued to develop but remains behind Price and Horne in the Scotland setup. He has made strides at Glasgow Warriors and earned a few Scotland caps. Dobie’s time could still come, but patience will be key as he continues to evolve as a player.
Dobie has continued to develop but remains behind Price and Horne in the Scotland setup. He has made strides at Glasgow Warriors and earned a few Scotland caps. Dobie’s time could still come, but patience will be key as he continues to evolve as a player.
6. James Grayson, England
McGeechan’s 2020 prediction:
The son of Paul Grayson, James was seen as a clever tactical fly-half with good mentorship at Northampton Saints.
The son of Paul Grayson, James was seen as a clever tactical fly-half with good mentorship at Northampton Saints.
What happened next:
