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Investec Champions Cup

'The most naturally gifted flyhalf in world rugby' - Plaudits flood in for Racing star Russell

By Ian Cameron

20 Dec 2020

Finn Russell /PA

The virtuoso performance put on by Racing 92 flyhalf Finn Russell against Harlequins in the Champions Cup has seen a deluge of plaudits rain in for the Scotland star.

Russell was pulling the strings as Racing tore Quins apart at The Stoop, ultimately running out 49 – 7 in a statement display for the Parisians.

The former Glasgow Warriors playmaker was at his brilliant best, leading to BT Sports commentator and former Harlequin Ugo Monye to describe him as the ‘most naturally talented flyhalf in world rugby’. Russell pulled plenty of rabbits out of his rugby hat, creating spectacular tries for both Simon Zebo and Teddy Thomas.

Ryan Wilson tells a brilliant story about Niko Matawalu:

After the game Russell was interviewed by BT Sport, with the modest Scot crediting his forwards for an armchair ride and his backs for their awesome finishing. “It’s great for me, the forwards were able to do their job, which makes it easy for me,” said Russell. “These x-factor guys outside me makes it a lot easier as well. It’s great for me to have the forwards and back that we do.”

“It’s obviously nice,” said Russell, when Monye’s plaudits were put to him. “It’s a big compliment and I’m happy to take it, but there’s a lot of gifted guys out there. And Marcus Smith for Harlequins, he’s a great young player as well. It was tough for him today as our forwards had a lot of control in the match. But it’s a nice compliment from Ugo.”

"These X-Factor guys outside me makes it a lot easier!"
"Marcus Smith of Harlequins, he's a great, young player."
Finn Russell dishing out the compliments after another excellent Racing 92 performance ?#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/trzLdgle1r
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) December 20, 2020

There were plenty of compliments flying around on social for the Scot too.

“This is turning embarrassing now for Harlequins! Been completely made to look like an amateur team by Racing 92! Love watching Finn Russell play where he just experiments everytime he gets the ball! Joy to watch.”

https://twitter.com/craigdavies/status/1340702205884690432

Finn Russell c’est même pas le mode beach rugby c’est le mode barbecue de fin d’année en 4e série. #HARvR92 #HARR92
— Thomas Corbet (@thomascorbet_ar) December 20, 2020

Finn Russell playing chess everyone else playing checkers
— James Keay (@jameskeay1) December 20, 2020

And Finn Russell’s kicking game… pic.twitter.com/9GGPfAliLw
— RussellEarnshaw (@russellearnshaw) December 20, 2020

https://twitter.com/garethreynolds/status/1340699507756036101

The question for Russell is whether not Warren Gatland will now reward his outstanding form with a call-up for the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa next summer. Should Russell go, it would likely mean one of Jonny Sexton, Owen Farrell or Dan Biggar will not travel south.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 8 hours ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 9 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 9 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 9 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 9 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 hours ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 9 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 9 hours ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 10 hours ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 10 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 10 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 10 hours ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 10 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 10 hours ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 10 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 11 hours ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍