We’re ready to Russell up a real cracker in Paris
Finn insists Six Nations swansong will be anything but dour given sides’ goals
HIGH-STAKES matches can often end up dour affairs but that’s rarely the case when Finn Russell is around.
And Scotland’s talismanic No.10 insists fans should expect to be entertained when they tune in to watch his side complete their Six Nations schedule against France in Paris on Friday.
A win by more than seven points, or with a bonus point, will seal a best-ever secondplace finish for Scotland, while a triumph by 20 points or more will clinch the title for Les Bleus.
The pressure is on, just the way Russell likes it.
The Racing 92 maestro said: “It should hopefully be a great game with both teams chasing bonus points and trying to win by certain margins. It could be a good one to watch for neutral fans.
“If you look at the stats, we have been playing pretty well and so have France – both attacking well and defending pretty well. It could go either way.
“Playing over in Paris, I imagine they’ll be favourites. But we go there with a great opportunity to finish second.
“It will be an extremely tough but enjoyable game to play in if both teams are playing at their best.
“These are the games you enjoy the most because there is so much on the line.
“It could come down to the bounce of a ball on the night, although hopefully we are ahead a little bit.”
Several members of the team will have their last shot in a Scotland jersey to stake a claim for Lions selection.
The touring team announced yesterday they had rejected proposals to host this summer’s showpiece in either the UK or Australia and are now committed to going to South Africa as originally planned.
Scotland haven’t had more than three players selected for a Lions squad since 1997.
But there are more than half-a-dozen genuine contenders this time around, including Russell, Stuart Hogg, Duhan van der Merwe, Rory Sutherland, Hamish Watson and Jamie Ritchie.
Russell, called up as a midtour reinforcement four years ago in New Zealand, said: “It’s a goal for everyone in the UK and Ireland to get on that tour but we can’t think too far ahead.
“I am playing pretty good rugby just now for club and country but that’s irrelevant because it comes down to what’s happening in the summer. I am not even sure when they pick the squad.
“It’s outwith my control. I am just going to focus on France and then end my season with Racing 92. After that, what will be will be.”
Sean Maitland is another Lions contender but he won’t be involved on Friday night because the number of players being released by English Premiership clubs has been restricted to five.
Russell admits it is a blow to lose the experienced winger but is adamant the team won’t let it distract them from the task in store at the Stade de France.
He said: “It will be a very big loss because Brice Dulin is good in the air and that’s one of Sean’s strengths – winning balls and knocking them back.
“But we are lucky we’ve got Darcy Graham and Duhan, who will be able to cover for him, and there are other boys who can cover there if needed.
“This is a one-off occasion, so I’m not sure if it’s fair or unfair. But we just have to prepare as best we can with the players we have got. “We need to be solely focused on the game.”