I'm delighted we are opening title race against Saints, says Russell

BATH were inches away from Premiership glory despite playing almost an hour of the final with 14 men, and with their title rivals waving goodbye to household names, talismanic fly-half Finn Russell believes they are in great shape to claim the trophy this time around.

- BEN JAYCOCK

Beno Obano received a 21st-minute red card but Bath led a dramatic final 21-18 with three minutes remaining as Russell rose to the occasion delivering 11 points off the tee.

Alex Mitchell's last-gasp try saw Northampton Saints crowned Premiership winners but while the 31-year-old Scotland superstar felt the anguish of coming up just short, he believes as a group they'll be better off for it as they prepare for the new Premiership season which will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.

Russell told The Rugby Paper: "The reason it hurts so much is that feeling afterwards of wondering if you'll ever be back in a final as nothing is guaranteed in sport.

"It's a great match to open up next season by going up against Northampton Saints on a Friday night. We've got a few new players in and some new tactics to bring out.

"It was a shame to get a red card early on but I thought we had a great game on top of that. People were probably sceptical about us last year but we had a great season. Everyone wants to win the tournament so we didn't achieve our goal. It showed how good we can be, ahead in the final until the 77th minute, so that gives the group belief we can now go on and win it." While their title rivals have all seen big-name departures, full-back Matt Gallagher's move to Benetton is the only notable departure from The Rec with the club's pack bolstered by the signings of flanker Guy Pepper from Newcas tle and second-row Ross Molony from Leinster.