Barclay: I can't help but respect Finn's decision
Sadly, after the events of last week, I struggle to see a way back into the Scotland squad for Finn Russell while Gregor Townsend is still head coach.
Finn spoke this week about the circumstances of his departure from the Six Nations camp, how disenchanted he’d become with the environment and the rugby, and how he felt relations between he and Gregor had deteriorated. Gregor responded that Finn wasn’t yet ready to “align himself” to Scotland’s standards, but hoped he would have the opportunity to coach him again.
These are two very strong-willed people who think they are doing things the right way. It’s all getting a bit messy, and I’m not sure the verbal jousting is having the desired impact.
As head coach, Gregor sets the culture and has very clear views on the style of play and the environment in camp, while also having an appreciation for the feedback he gets from his senior players. This is his baby.
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WATCH: Wee Finn gives Big Jim a kicking masterclass at Racing 92’s state of the art facility in Paris. Jim Hamilton caught up with Finn Russell ahead of Scotlands clash with France, this Saturday.
But as a player and someone who knows Finn, I take issue with the people labelling him selfish. In a way, what he has done is exactly the opposite. He loves playing for Scotland, but he understands that you have to be absolutely committed mentally and physically to pull on the jersey. There are a lot of things he clearly doesn’t agree with and I can’t help but respect his decision, if not the way in which he went about leaving. It is actually quite selfless for him to remove himself from that environment and say that he can’t be part of it.
It must have been an enormous decision and one he wouldn’t have taken lightly. But consider this: would you keep turning up to a job that you weren’t enjoying, culturally or from a content point of view? It’s too simplistic to argue that this is playing for Scotland, the ultimate privilege and one you should do at all costs. If camp is truly making Finn miserable (and he mentioned in his Sunday Times interview that it was not good for his health) and he decides he has to stand is ground, then removing himself is his only option. I truly wish that wasn’t the case as like all Scottish fans I want to see him playing for Scotland. Equally Gregor has no choice but to revert to the standards and values that ultimately cannot be changed for one individual.
2 in. 1 out. https://t.co/TWSL5A0FTl
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 16, 2020
Now, Scottish Rugby have got their head coach and one of their best players at loggerheads. Gregor is a very understanding and forgiving guy and says there is a way back for Finn, if Finn is willing to change. By the sounds of it, Finn thinks it’s Gregor who needs to make changes.
Despite the furore, it doesn’t seem like Finn’s exit has affected performances. Certainly in the opening-round loss to Ireland, Scotland did not play like a team unsettled by off-field events.
The England defeat last weekend was a non-Test for me. The weather was everything – possibly the worst conditions I have ever seen for an international match. The conditions were so extreme that it killed any thought in the game, both teams just wanted to hoof the ball absolutely anywhere to get it out of their own territory. Scotland couldn’t turn pressure into points and England were very good at the breakdown. It was always going to be a game where one mistake, or one moment of brilliance (or sheer power) would be the difference and it certainly panned out that way.
Can Scotland cope with life after Finn Russell? @bensmithrugby breaks down the performances of Adam Hastings in the opening rounds of the Six Nations. https://t.co/SynNRdeAYT #ScotlandRugby #SixNations
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 13, 2020
We simply have to beat Italy in Rome next weekend – these games are always non-negotiable victories and that is with all due respect to the Italians. This is a big opportunity for Scotland to showcase themselves and get some heat off their backs. If they deliver, they’re looking at France at home in a fortnight, a team they’ve beaten on their past three visits to BT Murrayfield, then a crack at a three-win Six Nations in Cardiff, with two losing bonus points already earned. Scotland have got to be a great deal more ruthless to make that happen. Italy see us as their prime target every year, but if Scotland play to their potential, they have too much quality and too much intensity. They need to win, and win well. Copy ends.
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
43 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
43 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
43 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
6 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
6 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments