Finn Russell’s club future looks set to be decided this week according to the latest reports coming out of France.
Despite a report from The Rugby Paper that talks had collapsed, reports in France now suggest his move to Premiership club Bath is almost complete with a three-year contract on the table with £850,000 per season.
With Charles Piutau set to depart Bristol Bears, he’d become the league’s highest-paid player for the 2023/24 season.
Bath currently have up-comer Orlando Bailey and former England international centre turned fly-half Piers Francis as their two senior options at 10.
According to Midi Olympique, the Scotland playmakers new offer from Racing 92 was significantly less than his current contract, with the Parisians lining up Exeter Chiefs Joe Simmonds.
The 25-year-old famously captained Chiefs to the Premiership/Champions Cup double, and he’d be the latest big name departure following England internationals Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Simmonds
All Blacks versatile playmaker Beauden Barrett and Wales number 10 Gareth Anscombe have also been linked with a move to the Top 14 heavyweights in recent weeks.
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
