Russell is ideal man to fill in at full-back
GreGor Townsend is set to spring his first surprise as scotland head coach by playing Finn russell at full-back on his side’s three-match summer tour.
Townsend is deadly serious about switching the fly-half in what is a needs-must situation.
He has had russell running at no 15 in training all this week at st Andrews with a view to him starting or moving there for scotland in their matches against Italy, Australia and Fiji.
The problem for Townsend is an obvious one with first choice stuart Hogg and understudy Tommy seymour away with the Lions. sean Maitland, who has also played at 15 before, misses the tour through injury.
That leaves duncan Taylor able to play there but he is far more effective in the centre alongside Alex dunbar.
Peter Horne has captained Glasgow warriors from no10 in the past and experienced fly-halves ruaridh Jackson and Greig Tonks are also in the squad. with greater strength in depth there, Townsend made the decision to try russell (right) out at full-back in training.
It proved such a success that he is now considering playing him there on the summer tour. russell, it is understood, is keen to try the switch as he sees it as a challenge.
‘In our first week, Finn trained a lot at 15 and did well,’ the scotland head coach said when asked by about how he felt russell had been doing in his new role. Being switched position, even for a short time at international level, will do russell’s career no harm at all. Versatility is a vital ingredient in the make-up of any modern rugby player and being comfortable in two positions will make him an even more attractive proposition. It looks certain that russell will leave Glasgow warriors at the end of next season for France or england and future employees will be impressed if they think they are getting a top-class star who can play two positions at international level. The switch is a bold move by Townsend but likely to be the only one of this his first tour as scotland coach. He realises that any changes have to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary as previous head coach Vern Cotter left in place foundations that can be built on.