The selection subplot to Finn Russell getting axed by Scotland
Undoubtedly the biggest selection story ahead of the finale of the Guinness Six Nations on Saturday weekend has been the axing of Finn Russell.
The Racing 92 star has been dropped by Scotland and Blair Kinghorn handed the flyhalf duties for Saturday’s Test at Lansdowne Road. Kinghorn’s 30 Scotland caps include only one start at flyhalf, last November against Tonga.
Russell’s axing is a surprise as he’s been a Scotland mainstay for most of the last eight years while accumulating 62 caps and a British and Irish Lions tour last year.
But the mercurial no.10 has been off his game in the championship, and coach Gregor Townsend has finally pulled the trigger for the last round.
Scotland have defeated England and Italy but were well beaten by Wales and France. Russell started all four matches without excelling and was sin-binned in the Wales game.
Kinghorn has played Test rugby mostly as a wing or fullback, and appeared in this championship as a replacement against Wales and France.
“Off the bench … we thought he performed well,” Townsend said on Thursday about Kinghorn without addressing Russell.
While the dropping of Russell came as a surprise, the selection of Kinghorn ahead of Gloucester’s Adam Hasting was a major talking point on social media. Hastings was the heir apparent in over last two seasons, but now looks to have become Townsend’s third choice.
“Gregor Townsend puts a lot of stock in “credit in the bank” in terms of selection for Scotland. Adam Hastings stepped up really well amidst ‘FinnGate’ in 2020 and hasn’t done a huge amount wrong since. Why is he now 3rd choice 10?,” wrote Andy Burke of BBC Scotland. “Should go without saying but I’ll say it anyway. I hope Blair Kinghorn has a stormer at the Aviva and we’re all left in no doubt Scotland has another quality option at 10. Huge game for him.”
Gregor Townsend puts a lot of stock in “credit in the bank” in terms of selection for Scotland. Adam Hastings stepped up really well amidst ‘FinnGate’ in 2020 and hasn’t done a huge amount wrong since. Why is he now 3rd choice 10?
— Andy Burke (@AndyBurke_) March 17, 2022
“Blair Kinghorn didn’t come off the bench against England, played the last 10 against Wales and the last 20 against France when the game was already done,” wrote BBC Chief news editor Tom English. “Thirty minutes the whole championship and a start against Tonga in the autumn. In you go against Ireland son, no pressure.”
Blair Kinghorn didn't come off the bench against England, played the last 10 against Wales and the last 20 against France when the game was already done. Thirty minutes the whole championship and a start against Tonga in the autumn. In you go against Ireland son, no pressure
— Tom English (@TEnglishSport) March 17, 2022
Popular Scottish podcast Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast wrote: “Plenty to ponder around the selection of Kinghorn for Sat, and question marks around whether he is a 10 or not. But calling him a bad to average club player is very wide of the mark.”
Plenty to ponder around the selection of Kinghorn for Sat, and question marks around whether he is a 10 or not. But calling him a bad to average club player is very wide of the mark #realtalk
— Thistle Scottish Rugby Podcast (@thistlerugbypod) March 17, 2022
“It’s odd because Adam Hastings is such a good 10. I could understand if GT wanted to improve depth but you also have Ross Thompson (who is a natural 10). By this logic he should be starting and not BK.”
It’s odd because Adam Hastings is such a good 10. I could understand if GT wanted to improve depth but you also have Ross Thompson (who is a natural 10). By this logic he should be starting and not BK. ?????
— Martin MacDonald (@martinmacd90) March 17, 2022
One fan wrote: “If Kinghorn “deserves his chance with his performances through the season” has Townsend not been watching Adam Hastings down at Gloucester then?… like most of our games this 6 Nations, the plot has been well and truly lost.”
https://twitter.com/neil_macd_v3/status/1504471910540726273
“Toony does know Adam Hastings still exists, right?,” wrote another.
Toony does know Adam Hastings still exists, right?
— Kenny Stewart (@Kenny__Stewart) March 17, 2022
When a full back starts at 10 against Ireland, and you wonder what Adam Hastings has done… #scotlandrugby #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/ccIqAXlXZH
— The Rugby Pastor (@RugbyPastor) March 17, 2022
Lock Jonny Gray has returned for the Scots after missing the last two games with a head injury to replace Sam Skinner in the only other change to the starting XV which beat Italy 33-22 last weekend in Rome.
Ireland are going for a first triple crown since 2018 and are still hoping to claim the Six Nations crown later should England beat France in Paris.
– additional reporting AAP
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI 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)
45 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.
5 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.
45 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.
45 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.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments