'I’m going to play as long as I can’ - Finn Russell aims for 2027 World Cup as Premiership campaign restarts

Finn Russell has set his sights on playing at the 2027 World Cup, as the 31-year-old begins to begin the new Gallagher Premiership campaign with Bath. The Scot led the side to the Premiership final last season where they came within minutes of glory, but the fly-half is rested, refreshed, and ready to do it all over again in the blue and white strip.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 08: Finn Russell of Bath Rugby successfully kicks a conversion after Thomas du Toit scores his team's first try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final match between Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby at Twickenham Stadium on June 08, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

After a summer of rest and relaxation following a lengthy season that saw Bath come within inches of Premiership glory, Finn Russell is ready to do it all over again.

In fact, the Scot is ready to do it for quite some time to come, admitting he has no plans to call time on his career anytime soon.

"I’ve got no intention of finishing up from either rugby or international rugby: I’m going to play as long as I can,” the fly-half said at a TNT event on Friday.

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Soon entering the twilight of his career, at 31, Russell knows he still has plenty to offer in the game, both for club and country.

The entertainer has his sights set on making Scotland's World Cup squad in 2027 down under in Australia and you would back him to be there.

“As long as I’m still enjoying it and playing well, there is no point in me stopping. You get a lot of lows in sport, but the highs you get you can’t get anywhere else," he stressed.

“I’m definitely planning on making the World Cup. I’ve not got any notion of retiring any time soon. I’m 31 now but feel I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in."

Last season saw Bath reach the Premiership final where domestic triumph slipped through their fingers.

But a trip to Twickenham with Bath has seemingly not only rejuvenated the club as a whole but has helped Russell realise his appetite for success is still there.

“It had been a long time since I was in a final,” he said. “Getting back into a final gives you that taste for it again. We had a red card after 20 minutes and we were ahead until the 73rd minute – we got so close, so it drives you a little bit more.

“We can’t look back on last season and think, ‘Ah we got to the final, we’ll get there again’. It’s back to square one. There’s belief in the processes we go through in the game and also in the players that we’ve got.

“But last year, eight out of the 10 teams could have qualified with two games to go. A few changes, you never know how things are going to go, and last year showed how close it can be. One bad result or off performance can cost you that top four spot.”

‘Tough down to 14 men’ – Russell ‘proud’ of Bath’s fightback after early red card

Video credit: TNT Sports

Having been absent from Scotland's summer tour of the Americas, Russell has had a few months to rest and reflect, fine-tuning his mind in preparation for another long season.

The Scot had jumped from Racing 92 after the World Cup straight into the Premiership season with Bath and with the birth of his second daughter, welcomed the summer break, which also helped embed him and his family further into Bath.

“During the season, you don’t get time to fully settle in,” he explained.

“I was back in Paris at the weekend and you can tell there were so many other sports and events going on in Paris. Rugby is only a very small part of it. In Bath, it feels like it’s only rugby. There are a few cafes and restaurants that we go to often.

"We chat away to other people and they seem very friendly, which is nice. Whether that’s because we had a good season…if results had gone another way, it might have been different!”

Bath start their campaign on Friday September 20 with a rematch of last season's final against defending champions Northampton Saints, live on TNT Sports.

Johann van Graan’s squad has seen some names leave but has managed to keep it largely intact, bolstering it with a number of additions such as Newcastle's Guy Pepper.

“As a group, we’re in a good place right now,” Russell adds. "We've not had too many changes, it should be easy to slip in."

Watch the Gallagher Premiership rugby live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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