Bath have reportedly missed out on signing star fly-half Finn Russell.
Since making his Scotland debut against USA in Houston in 2013, Russell has established himself as one of the most charismatic and exciting playmakers in world rugby, his ability to find space when it seemingly doesn’t exist a hallmark of his maverick playing style.
In 2013, Russell spent 15 weeks in New Zealand as part of the John Macphail scholarship, honing skills that, alongside club experience with Stirling County, Falkirk and Ayr, would help him become a key part of the Glasgow Warriors squad that tasted PRO12 glory in 2015, the same year he featured in his first Rugby World Cup.
The 30-year-old had been at Racing 92 in Paris since 2018, but it appeared that he will be leaving the French capital at the end of the season
It was reported by the Mail Online last month that talks were at an ‘advanced stage’ and that it is ‘very likely’ that Russell will join Bath as their marquee player — meaning his salary is not included within the cap.
However, according to The Rugby Paper, the Scotland and Lions star has rejected a proposed move to the West Country next season.
Finn Russell is now set to extend his stay with Racing with a huge new contract worth almost £1m per season reportedly on the table according to reports in France.
There had been speculation that Racing are lining up All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett, but that deal now appears to be dead.
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
JOIN THE RUCK:
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.
