1
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
If Kinghorn “deserves his chance with his performances through the season” has Townsend not been watching Adam Hastings down at Gloucester then? It’s a bollocks of a call by Townsend – like most of our games this 6 Nations, the plot has been well and truly lost. #AsOne #Scotland
— Neil Macdougall (@neil_macd_v3) March 17, 2022
“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
Ouch. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
25 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to comments