Bath Rugby have confirmed the signing of Finn Russell, an exciting addition to Johann van Graan’s squad.
It's been suggested that the Scotland stars three-year deal at the Rec will be worth £1million per year, and that the signing will be confirmed in the coming days.
That would be double what England star Marcus Smith, who has two and half years remaining on his current contract, earns with him taking home wages of £460,000 per season.
The 30-year-old will link up with the Blue, Black and White following the 2023 Rugby World Cup after a stellar four seasons at Racing 92.
Russell’s playmaking ability and excellent kicking game have seen him become one of the most lauded players in the northern hemisphere. He will join a Bath squad which has already seen recent recruits Ted Hill, Ollie Lawrence and Alfie Barbeary commit for the long term.
“Finn is a world-class player who will significantly add to our squad on and off the field,” Head of Rugby Johann van Graan said.
On joining Bath, Russell said: “To be able to join such a historic, well-supported club is really exciting.
“I know players at Bath who speak highly of the environment, and the direction the club is going in is something I want to be a part of.
“I’ve enjoyed my time at Racing 92 and I’ve learned a lot. Now is the right time for a new challenge, in a new league, with the aim of moving Bath back to the top end of the Premiership and competing for domestic and European titles.”
Finn Russell facts:
- His father played a lot of racket sports, and worked in sports administration, including as Director of Domestic Rugby for the Scottish Rugby Union
- After secondary school, he pursued an apprenticeship for three years as a stonemason, in a business owned by a family friend, whilst his rugby developed
- Russell has been nicknamed ‘Russell the Muscle’ due to having a somewhat slender build for a modern-day rugby player
- Fly-half Russell was capped with the Barbarians against England during the mid-year rugby tests
- In 2013 Russell received the John Macphail Scholarship, linked with New Zealand’s Lincoln University
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REVEALED: Every Premiership Rugby sides marquee players and their reported salary
We take a look at each Gallagher Premiership clubs marquee player and what they are reportedly earning.
As their clubs marquee player, their salary sits outside of their sides salary cap budget of £5million.
Every Premiership Team's Marquee Player:
Bath RFC: None (was previously Taulupe Faletau)
Bristol Bears: Charles Piutau - £1,000,000 per season
Exeter Chiefs: Stuart Hogg - £500,000
Gloucester: Adam Hastings - £450,000
Adam Hastings of Gloucester Rugby kicks the conversion during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Gloucester Rugby and Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm on 28 October. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Harlequins: André Esterhuizen - £420,000
Andre Esterhuizen of Harlequins during the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins and Leicester Tigers at Twickenham Stoop, London on 16 October 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)
Leicester Tigers: Handre Pollard - £600,000
London Irish: Paddy Jackson - £500,000
Paddy Jackson of London Irish kicks for goal during the Gallagher Premiership match between London Irish and Newcastle Falcons at The Brentford Community Stadium, London on December 04 2021 (Photo: Danny Loo/PPAUK)
Newcastle Falcons: Unknown
Northampton Saints: None (was previously Dan Biggar)
Sale Sharks: George Ford - £450,000
Saracens: Owens Farrell - £750,000
Owen Farrell (c) of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK
Owen Farrell Facts:
- The Saracens star went to school with England teammate George Ford
- His education began in rugby league – he joined Wigan St Patricks at the age of eight
- He became the youngest ever player to appear in English professional rugby, making his debut aged 17 and 11 days. This record was later beaten by schoolmate Ford
- It’s well known that Owen is the son of Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. However, it’s less commonly know that his uncle Sean O’Loughlin is also a rugby league legend, winning 34 caps for Great Britain between 1993 and 2009
- He was not at first registered as a Farrell, but took mum Colleen’s family name of O’Loughlin. The couple married in 1995, changing Owen’s surname to Farrell the following year.
