Finn to make Scotland return in summer after Toony talks

FINN RUSSELL is set to return for Scotland’s July tour after holding talks with gaffer Gregor Townsend.

Russell was frozen out of the Six Nations in January for breaking team rules over boozing.

The fly-half later said he did not have a “personal relationship” with Townsend, who was also his boss at Glasgow Warriors.

Despite their fall-out, the player and coach have had positive talks and it’s understood Russell will call into the coaches’ meeting ahead of Sunday’s visit by France.

The Paris-based playmaker will share his insight into the French squad to help his international team-mates prepare to face their Grand Slam-chasing opponents.

The pair have agreed that he will remain unavailable for the final two Six Nations fixtures.

But Russell is expected to be available for the July fixtures against world champions South Africa and New Zealand, where he could win his 50th cap.

Meanwhile, Sam Johnson believes Scotland can pull the

BY RODDY DUNCAN Grand Slam plug on France’s “electric” kids.

The sides go into combat at Murrayfield – with the hosts rated as clear-cut underdogs against the unbeaten title pacesetters.

But centre Johnson is convinced Townsend’s men are capable of stepping up their own revival to stun the rampant rookies. The Glasgow hero said: “I’m not really surprised by the re-emergence of the French.

“They have a great coaching staff who are bringing out the best in their young players.

“It actually doesn’t take a huge amount to turn round a squad when there is confidence and good guys in charge. The halfback combination of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack in particular is superb.

“Ntamack was in the running for the European Player of the Year award and he’s controlling the French team really well at 10.

“His relationship with Dupont is crucial. They are electric players – full of confidence and full of form.

“We will have a good look at what France are doing leading into Sunday.

“But we won’t over-stress about what the opposition might do.

“The mood in the Scotland camp is positive – in fact it is definitely the best environment that I’ve been in during my involvement at this level.

“I think we are turning a page, playing some good rugby and getting the results.

“Obviously, we have a new defensive system with Steve Tandy, so we are trying to get that in place and it has been working really well so far. We are a really strong unit.”