Bath are a side transformed since the Scottish playmaker returned from the World Cup to weave his magic on the Premiership.
Johann van Graan’s side are second to Sale Sharks only on points difference in the Premiership table and have a first Champions Cup win under their belts in nearly four years.
Russell hasn’t been the only contributory factor but his confident presence on the pitch seems to have brought the best out of those around him; it is no coincidence that captain and scrum-half Ben Spencer and Ollie Lawrence won back-toback Premiership Player of the Month awards before the European campaign began with victory against Ulster.
As the father of a one year-old daughter, it seems moving to Bath has come at just the right time for Russell and the two parties – player and club – appear to be the perfect fit.
However, the 31-yearold admits that there were some initial misgivings about the style of rugby that he might be asked to play under a South African coach known for a more conservative outlook than his.
“He (van Graan) was at Munster before who kicked the ball a lot, so I was a bit sceptical about how it would be with me coming here,” Russell admitted.
“I just asked is that the way you want to play with Bath because if that is the way then I am probably not best suited to that style of rugby.
“He just said that he is always open to ideas and bringing in Lee Blackett shows the way he is looking to play with him being such a good attack coach.
Denne historien er fra December 17, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 17, 2023-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
