Bath were 31-23 winners against Sale on Saturday afternoon as the two sides played their semi-final match for the last berth in the Gallagher Premiership Rugby season finale, which will be played against Northampton Saints. Finn Russell was vital to the win as he impressed once more, and he said after the win that the squad’s team spirit was the decisive factor for victory.
Bath fly-half Finn Russell said it was his side’s “belief and trust” that won them their Gallagher Premiership semi-final against Sale on Saturday afternoon.
Bath came from behind to win 31-23 to set up a play-off final with Northampton Saints, who beat Saracens on Friday evening.
Russell was at the heart of Bath’s win – converting a penalty within the first five minutes, and also added a penalty later from the halfway line – and the 31-year-old was impressed with Sale’s spirited performance.
With Ted Hill and Beno Obano tries, Bath were 18-5 ahead after 25 minutes, but the visitors clawed their way back into the match, and trailed by just three points at the interval – only for Bath to dig in for the win.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Russell said: “Credit to them, they’re a brilliant team. They put us under a lot of pressure in the second half especially. A breakaway try, before then they got a penalty and went a few points ahead.”
Bath were 23-21 behind until Russell was given the chance to take a penalty on 68 minutes, and he duly sent over his fourth penalty of the match to regain the advantage for his side.
The ability to come back from a deficit, the Scotsman argued, demonstrated the strength of spirit amongst his team-mates.
He continued: “I think it shows the sort of character we’ve built over this season. We’re never out, we’ve got belief and we back ourselves.
“Even when we’re a couple of points behind – I think there were 15-20 minutes to go – but we knew at some point we were going to get a chance, that’s all we need.”
Niall Annett’s late try secured the victory for the home team after good work from the team’s forwards.
Russell said he thought that it was the resilience of Bath that was the difference when it came to the crunch, adding: “The forwards executed which is brilliant, and as always helped by the fans.
“Things are always tough, especially when the margins are smaller, but that belief and trust we’ve built over the season is what won it for us.”
The Premiership Rugby final takes place on June 8 at Twickenham Stadium.
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