Bath Rugby have pulled off a major coup by tying down superstar fly-half Finn Russell on a bumper new deal that runs until June 2028.<\/p>\n
The British & Irish Lions magician is now one of the highest-paid players in the game, with his new contract reportedly worth a staggering\u00a0\u00a31 million per season\u00a0\u2014 a jaw-dropping\u00a0\u00a33 million package\u00a0over three years.<\/p>\n
Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n Russell had been\u00a0linked with a move away, with both\u00a0Racing 92\u00a0\u2014 his former club \u2014 and\u00a0Bristol Bears\u00a0reportedly interested in luring the mercurial playmaker. But Bath have managed to fend off the competition to keep hold of their marquee No.10.<\/p>\n Russell joined Bath in 2023 on an initial three-year deal and has since made a massive impact. He\u2019s racked up\u00a045 appearances\u00a0and\u00a0420 points\u00a0across all competitions \u2014 including four tries \u2014 and finished the\u00a02024\/25 season as the Gallagher Premiership\u2019s leading points scorer\u00a0with\u00a0183 points.<\/p>\n That form played a key role in Bath\u2019s historic campaign, as Johann van Graan\u2019s side completed a\u00a0domestic and European treble. Now, the 32-year-old will remain central to the club\u2019s ambitions for the next three seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cI have loved my time here at Bath. It\u2019s a great team and a great club. We\u2019ve 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,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fans have been outstanding since I got here. We\u2019ve had some big results at home and that\u2019s just our way of giving back to the fans and trying to represent them in the right way.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way the club is developing and with the young players coming through, the belief and confidence that we\u2019ve 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\u2019t wait to get started next season.\u201d<\/p>\n Bath\u2019s Head of Rugby,\u00a0Johann van Graan, hailed the news as a major boost for the club\u2019s long-term project.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s amazing news. Finn is one of the world\u2019s best 10s, a player who performs in the big moments and more importantly he\u2019s an incredible team man and a family man. He is one of the lads, his training is exceptional, and he\u2019s added so much to our group.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s great that he\u2019ll be staying on at Bath Rugby and continuing his journey with the Blue, Black and White.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS<\/p>\n Owen Farrell and Two Springboks Named on Controversial \u2018Most Hated\u2019 Rugby List<\/p>\n Rugby might be a game rooted in respect, but that doesn\u2019t mean every player is a fan favourite. <\/p>\n In fact, some names seem to exist purely to wind up the opposition \u2014 whether it\u2019s for dirty play, endless sledging, off-field antics, or just being\u00a0toodamn good.<\/p>\n With old villains like Johnny Sexton and Dan Biggar hanging up their boots, a fresh crop of love-to-hate stars has taken over. And yes, two Springboks have made the cut \u2014 with one\u00a0storming\u00a0to the top of the list.<\/p>\n A new fan poll has settled the debate (for now): these are the players supporters\u00a0love\u00a0to loathe. And the name at number one? It might just shock you<\/p>\n #6.\u00a0Eben Etzebeth (South Africa\/Sharks)<\/p>\n Position:\u00a0Lock A walking menace on the field, Etzebeth is the definition of a player you love on your team and loathe on the opposition. Brutal in the tackle, master of the dark arts in the ruck, and never far from an off-the-ball scrap. His sheer physical dominance and fiery temperament make him a nightmare for rivals.<\/p>\n That being said, many fans admire his old-school enforcer mentality \u2014 just as long as he\u2019s not slamming your favourite player into next week.<\/p>\n RUCK Verdict: #5.\u00a0Owen Farrell (England\/Racing 92)<\/p>\n Position:\u00a0Fly-Half\/Centre Once the undisputed No.1 on this list, Farrell has seen the hate ease up a bit since stepping away from England duty in 2024. But don\u2019t be fooled \u2014 his infamous \u201cshoulder-first\u201d tackling style, fiery competitiveness, and snarling leadership still rile up fans and pundits alike.<\/p>\n Farrell\u2019s critics point to repeated high tackles and lenient disciplinary treatment, while supporters admire his elite mentality and unwavering loyalty. It\u2019s sad his world-class talent isn\u2019t recognised due to his constant role as the pantomime villain, as a lot of the 2025 Lions coverage has shown.<\/p>\n RUCK Verdict: CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
Caps:\u00a0131 (as of 2025)
Major Honours:\u00a0\ud83c\udfc6 2x Rugby World Cup winner (2019, 2023)<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the game\u2019s last true hard men \u2014 and one of the most divisive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caps:\u00a0112
Major Honours:\u00a0\ud83c\udfc9 England captain, 3x Six Nations titles, 3x Lions tours<\/p>\n
\u201cStill England\u2019s pantomime villain \u2014 unless he\u2019s your guy. Then he walks on water.\u201d<\/p>\n