Finn Russell returns from injury against Newcastle to boost Bath's Gallagher Premiership play-off push

Finn Russell has been named as a starter for Bath in their final away trip of the Gallagher Premiership season, against Newcastle on Friday evening, live on TNT Sports.

The fly-half has been out for just over a month, after sustaining what the club described as a "significant" groin injury during the Investec Champions Cup loss to Exeter.

In his absence, Bath bounced back in the Premiership to defeat Exeter, before losing to Saracens - who leapfrogged them in the table - last time out.

Those results leave Johann van Graan's team in third spot, but with Bristol and Harlequins both breathing down their necks as they trail by a point.

Only four sides will make the play-offs, meaning qualification is in the balance with two matches remaining. The last of those games is at home against Northampton, who currently lead the league.

Russell's comeback will be a major boost for Bath, as it will be for his national side, Scotland, who tour North and South America with four fixtures in the summer.

The 31-year-old is one of four changes to the starting XV for the showdown in Newcastle, with Tom Dunn, Thomas du Toit and Cameron Redpath also coming into the fold.

Bath won the reverse fixture against Newcastle 34-26 in October, with Russell's partner on the field and captain Ben Spencer responsible for 19 of those points. Newcastle sit rock bottom, without a single victory all season.

Russell has starred in his debut campaign with Bath following five years in France with Racing 92, as he aims to secure a second title of his career, having previously helped Glasgow Warriors to the 2015 Pro12 championship.

He has played a key role in lifting Bath from an eighth-placed finish last term. The Somerset side are looking for a return to glory after a 28-year title drought. Indeed, after dominating the early 1990s, Bath have failed to win the Premiership in its current guise.

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