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'Pure lunacy': Scotland fans have collective heart attack over Finn Russell's 'brain fart' that could have tipped the result in England's favour
Scotland’s famous 11-6 win over England at Twickenham for the first time in 38 years didn’t come without drama, as a late England possession gave the home side the chance to repeat the ending of 2019’s classic draw where they scored five minutes into injury time.
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Flyhalf Finn Russell attempted a drop goal with less than sixty seconds left on the clock that ended up getting charged down, leaving his side scrambling to recover the loose ball.
Man-of-the-match Stuart Hogg was there to clean up what could have become a disastrous ending with the game all but secured. With the forwards holding possession tight to wind down the clock, a drop goal was called with Russell back in the pocket despite not holding an advantage or time being up.
Under pressure, Russell moved to take the kick off his left foot leading to the charge down and a collective heart-in-mouth moment for all Scotland fans watching.
Commentator and former Irish international Alan Quinlan exclaimed ‘what in God’s name are they trying to do?!’ as Russell’s attempt was made. Fans described the scene as ‘utter madness’, ‘pure lunacy’, and a ‘total brain fart’ by Russell.
"What in God's name are they trying to do!?"
You're 5 points up Twickenham.
Less than 1 minute to go.
0 wins there in 38 years.Only Finn Russell would attempt the drop goal. ?@AlanQuinlan1 could not believe it! ?#ENGvSCO #GuinnessSixNations #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/j6zF7LKmPX
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 6, 2021
Lot of people pilloring Finn Russell on here. Yes both the drop goal attempt at the end, & yellow card were brain fart moments, but otherwise his game management was superb. I think Duhan should do better with the cross field kick & as 4 goal kicking he's not the regular for R92.
— Maddal (@Maddal7) February 7, 2021
Utter madness. He's certainly a very talented player but two minutes away from victory and you do this? What was he thinking? "Finn Russell seals victory with brilliant drop goal" headlines is my thinking. Selfish and stupid.
— Lord Goulding of Penylan (@gouldina) February 7, 2021
Well done Scotland! Total brain fart on the drop goal attempt at the end , but well well deserved win #ENGvSCO
— Sean O Sullivan (@sos100) February 6, 2021
Finn Russell had a poor game and was a liability at times! His team mates made up for his poor decisions though..thankfully https://t.co/8SQ6Ca83Df
— Ellen Reynor (@ellen_rey) February 6, 2021
Finn Russell called a drop goal, in the 79th minute, on his weaker foot in game we had complete control in and were about to win.
Let that sink in.
If a story breaks tomorrow of Townsend punching him in the face in the changing room. It will be welcome and entirely appropriate.— JHC (@JYHYCN) February 6, 2021
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Finn Russell really did his best to hand that game to England: "Haha, I think I'll try a drop goal from the half way line and gift England back possession". #ENGvSCO
— RGill (@robggill) February 6, 2021
What is finn Russell playing at? Hahaha drop goal like ? some win for the bagpipe players that is ????????????????
— Aido (@aidofunter) February 6, 2021
I know! Insane!! Was that Finn Russell who called for the ball, and then made a bags of the attempted drop goal? He has a bit of X-factor in some games, but overall I reckon he’s more of a liability for the Scots.
— Arran Henderson (@arranqh) February 6, 2021
Delighted Scotland won but Finn Russell did his best to lose it on his own. The drop goal attempt at the end was pure lunacy. Huge credit to Hogg, Watson and Gray who showed tremendous leadership. Enjoy the win
— Philip O Reilly (@oreillyphilip) February 6, 2021
Thought Finn Russell seemed determined to lose it for them
— Paraic O’Toole (@paraicotoole) February 6, 2021
Russell’s moment summed up a mixed day for the re-called flyhalf, who had ups-and-downs throughout the match.
Five minutes from half time Russell was yellow carded for a foot trip on England scrumhalf Ben Youngs, allowing Owen Farrell to close the gap to 8-6 just before the half and reducing Scotland to 14-men.
RugbyPass columnist Gavin Harper afforded Russell the benefit of the doubt for his faux pas, awarding a generous 8 out of 10 rating.
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“Some lovely touches in attack, including a cross-kick for van der Merwe,” he wrote.
“Linked well with Redpath but guilty of over-playing deep inside his own half on a couple of occasions. On another day, the yellow card could have been costly, but Scotland coped well without their talisman.”
Coach Gregor Townsend said that the squad was confident going into the match with a ‘calmness’ surrounding the side.
“There was a calmness on and off the field. I don’t know whether it’s because there’s no crowd.
“It felt like the players were in control today. We had a bit of defence to do at the end but the players stood up well. I’m very proud of the performance and there’s a lot more to come from the players.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Hi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
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3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
3 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
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61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to comments