Finn Russell will play no further part in Scotland's Six Nations but crucially a return is on the cards
Exiled fly-half Finn Russell will play no part in the rest of Scotland’s Six Nations campaign but talks have begun over his reintegration into the squad for their summer tour of South Africa and New Zealand.
The gifted playmaker has missed the Scots’ opening three matches against Ireland, England and Italy after being disciplined initially for a breach of team protocol over alcohol consumption on arrival at the squad’s hotel for their pre-tournament camp and missing training the following day.
Russell, 27, went public three weeks ago with his version of events, suggesting he had been unhappy with the Scotland environment for some time, that he “doesn’t have a personal relationship” with head coach Gregor Townsend – who also coached him at Glasgow for five years – and that his absence was “about control, respect and trust, on and off the pitch”.
Although Russell has been omitted from Scotland’s training squad for their next Six Nations match against France at Murrayfield next Sunday, a rapprochement with Townsend has moved a step closer.
RugbyPass understands the pair spoke twice last Sunday, following Scotland’s 17-0 win over Italy in Rome the previous day, and again on Tuesday. They plan to meet face-to-face once the Six Nations is over, with Scotland’s final match against Wales in Cardiff on 14 March.
Continue reading below…
WATCH: The guys round up all the Guinness Six Nations and Premiership action. They discuss the shenanigans at the breakdown in England v Ireland among others. We also hear from Brad Shields on his injury and his quest to get back into Eddie’s England squad.
Neither felt the timing was right for Russell to return to the squad for the final two matches, with his presence deemed to be too much of a distraction.
But both parties are keen to see the playmaker return to the national fold in time for a demanding summer tour that includes two Tests in South Africa against the world champion Springboks and a further Test against New Zealand in Dunedin.
While most Scotland supporters will be dismayed at the continued absence over the next fortnight of one of their genuine world-class talents, Russell will play a role in assisting preparations to face the Grand Slam-chasing French.
Last year France fielded a 962kg pack, almost certainly the heaviest in Test rugby history.
Yet the 2020 selection policy appears to favour height and athleticism, and it's clearly working ?? #GuinnessSixNations https://t.co/hbuxgVnTS7
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 1, 2020
With his club side Racing 92 not playing again until 22 March, Russell – who has been given a week off – has agreed to give Townsend and his staff his insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the French side by joining a conference call with the Scotland coaches on Monday.
Three of his Racing team-mates – wing Teddy Thomas, centre Virimi Vakatawa and lock Bernard Le Roux – have played key roles in the renaissance of Les Bleus, which has put them on course for a first Six Nations tile in 10 years, and a possible clean sweep, after victories over England, Italy and Wales.
Russell scored an intercept try for Racing on Saturday in a crushing 49-0 victory over Top 14 play-off rivals La Rochelle, lifting the Parisians up to third place.
Will he go Wales ??????? or will he go England ????????
Bristol's Callum Sheedy talks: Test rugby, @BristolBears rivalries and what it'll be like playing with Semi Radradra – with @heagneyl ???https://t.co/JxDKYXk4Pf
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 1, 2020
Adam Hastings has started all three of Scotland’s Six Nations matches so far. While he performed solidly in narrow defeats against Ireland in Dublin and England at Murrayfield, a patchy display in victory in Rome – in which he also missed three kicks out of four at goal – only served to highlight Russell’s continued absence.
Rory Hutchinson, who operates at centre for his club Northampton, has provided fly-half cover on the bench so far, while Worcester’s Duncan Weir, who won the last of his 27 caps in March 2017, has also been training with the squad.
It is understood that unless injury befalls one or more of the three remaining fly-half options in the squad, there is little prospect of Russell returning in time for Scotland’s final Six Nations match against Wales, given a six-day turnaround after the France game.
Russell scored an intercept try for Racing on Saturday in a crushing 49-0 victory over Top 14 play-off rivals La Rochelle, lifting the Parisians up to third place.
Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to comments