Russell will strike it rich when he chooses between his suitors

WITH some of the biggest clubs in rugby vying for his services, who can blame Finn Russell for taking his time over which one to choose?

The Scotland and Glasgow Warriors fly-half is currently evaluating all of the many offers on the table and will make a final decision before Christmas.

Expect a similar bidding war to start soon over his team-mate Jonny Gray, who is also out of contract at the end of the season.

Naturally, the SRU will try to persuade both to stay, but it’s a harsh reality of modern rugby that they won’t be able to match the money being waved in the pair’s direction by wealthier counterparts in England and France. Edinburgh and Glasgow can’t compete financially with these clubs who are bankrolled by multi-millionaire owners.

The highest salary ever paid by the SRU is £375,000 a year to Stuart Hogg. That pales into insignificance compared to what Russell (above) has already been offered from elsewhere.

He is as good as on his way out of Scotstoun. Gray might yet stay but it is probably more likely he will join older brother Richie in France. Russell is in a fortunate position. Toulon, Toulouse, Lyon, Racing 92 and Wasps have all made it clear that they want to sign him. Saracens and Montpellier are also watching the situation closely, with a view to joining the hunt over the next few weeks. Initially, it looked as if around £550,000 a year would be enough to secure his signature. But with Welshman Dan Biggar — who isn’t anywhere near as good a fly-half — signing a mind-boggling £600,000a-year deal with Northampton Saints from next season, the sky is the limit for the 25-year-old Scot, who could more than double his wages. Going to France or England will make the Glasgow No 10 an even better player. The only downside, from a Scotland perspective, is the timing of his move. It would have been much better if he had stayed here until after the 2019 World Cup, so he would be under Gregor Townsend’s nose and could have been rested in the build-up when necessary. But that isn’t going to happen and Russell will be on his way at the end of the season. Sadly, he won’t be the last.