Latest news with #vanGraan
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Why Finn Russell came off before the end of Bath's win over Bristol
The 32-year-old was taken off with five minutes to go. 'Multiple parts of his body are cramping,' said van Graan post-match [ 'He put in some effort, I thought. His goalkicking was phenomenal, the chases that he put in too. He was still cramping in the changing room but there's no reason to suppose he won't be fine. Read more: 'It was amazing how many guys on both sides went down with cramp. It just showed the effort that both teams put in. We worked incredibly hard to get into this position, to get back to Twickenham.' The victory means Bath have reached their second successive Gallagher Premiership final. 'We knew this was going to be a tough game and we picked a 23 that we believe will get the job done,' added van Graan. 'I thought at 34-13, we got some momentum but Bristol is a good team. They kept on attacking and it's never dead on 34-20. 'It was some game of rugby. We knew that we were going to be stretched but we actually defended pretty well. 'At half-time we spoke about our game and composure. It shows that we are a team that is fluid and adaptable. We made one or two tactical changes and then our fitness came through, our hunger, our will to win. 'At 13-6 we had a penalty. Many teams would have kicked for the posts but we went straight for the kill and made it 13-0. 'How good was the crowd! They gave us so much energy so we dominated them in the second half. 'I'm incredibly proud of this win and that we did this not only for ourselves but for the city. The people of Bath were amazing tonight.'
France 24
23-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Bath stay on track for treble with Challenge Cup glory
They lifted the Premiership Cup in March and have a league semi-final at home on June 6 in their hunt for three trophies in one season. The English Premiership leaders played with 13-men during the first half at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium as England flanker Sam Underhill and centre Will Muir were sin-binned but Johann van Graan's side managed to hold on to lift another continental title after success in 2008. South African van Graan started Scotland's Finn Russell at fly-half, weeks after he was included in the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer's tour of Australia. Russell's opposite number 10 was Lyon's Leo Berdeu, one of seven survivors from their 2022 Challenge Cup success alongside half-back partner and club captain Baptiste Couilloud. The two-time French champions had the better of the opening exchanges and deservedly opened the scoring after four minutes. France winger Ethan Dumortier dived over in the corner to make it 5-0 following a good support line from full-back Davit Niniashvili. By the 26-minute mark, the English club, champions in 2014 at the adjacent Cardiff Arms Park, turned the game on its head to lead 17-5 as hooker Tom Dunn's and centre Max Ojomoh crossing with Russell added seven points from the tee. Just before the half-hour, Underhill was shown his yellow card for a high tackle on Georgia livewire Niniashvili after referral with the television match official. With five minutes left of the half, Muir was given his marching orders for taking out Dumortier in the air, in a busy spell for referee Holly Davidson, the first women to officiate a continental final. Lyon were unable to make the most of the numerical superiority as van Graan's side weathered the storm and were 12 points up at the break. With half an hour left the lead was just eight points as Lyon's South African No 8 Arno Botha crashed over after a Russell penalty, with the score at 20-12. Bath then took full control of the game as prop Beno Obano powered his way to the line and captain Ben Spencer strolled over to the joy of the majority English crowd, who had made the one-hour journey across the Severn Bridge. Russell's extras made it 34-12 with barely 15 minutes to go before the influential Spencer was given a standing ovation as he was replaced and was later named player of the match. The Scotland playmaker kept his 100% record from the tee with a 72-minute penalty to make sure of Bath's first Challenge Cup title since 2008.
