Bath remain optimistic that Finn Russell will be fit for their Premiership semi-final against Exeter Chiefs despite the Scotland fly-half missing Saturday’s win over Leicester Tigers.
Russell was absent from the matchday squad at Welford Road as Bath secured second place and a home semi-final, with Santiago Carreras handed the No.10 jersey instead.
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The 32-year-old is continuing his recovery from a calf injury, and with a playoff place already secured, Bath opted against taking any unnecessary risks.
Speaking after the victory, Bath’s head coach explained the decision to leave Russell out.
“It’s about managing risk and making good decisions,” he said.
“If you think back two seasons ago, he had a groin injury, and we made a decision when to put him back, and again, if this was do or die today, we would have put him in.
“He’s in a great place, but he’s not perfect. He’ll have to get through the week, but let’s see, Friday, 12 o’clock, what the team is for the game.”
The comments suggest Russell remains firmly in contention for next weekend’s semi-final, although Bath will continue to monitor his progress throughout the week before making a final decision on his availability.
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