STAGE SET FOR GRAND FINNALE
But fly-half can’t let occasion get better of him in last home match, warns Rennie
EMOTIONS will be running high when Finn Russell makes his last home appearance for Glasgow Warriors in their do-or-die Guinness Pro14 semi-final with Scarlets tonight.
But although the fly-half will naturally be eager to bid farewell to Scotstoun with a spectacular victory against the reigning champions, head coach Dave Rennie has warned him not to get too carried away with the occasion.
While Russell in full flight with all his flicks and tricks is a wonder to behold, the Kiwi has warned him it is crucial that he sticks to the game plan as Glasgow seek to produce the disciplined performance that could book their place in next weekend’s final in Dublin.
Urging the 25-year-old — who joins Racing 92 at the end of the season — to play the percentages game, Rennie said: ‘I just want Finn to relax and do the obvious. I don’t want him to be overawed by the occasion.
‘I guess what I’m trying to say to Finn is if there is space and it makes sense to kick it, we kick it. If there are opportunities to keep the ball in hand, we do that. We don’t need to try and pull rabbits out of our backsides.
‘I have a lot of confidence in him and he has prepared well and is excited by the challenge. This is his last game at home which is pretty special. We’re lucky in that he’s played a lot of Test footie and is clear on his role tonight.
‘He is disappointed at how he went against Scarlets last time we played them, when he only got 40 minutes before coming off. We’re expecting better things and so is he. Finn is a good player, an important part of our make-up and is in there to do a job for us.’
Usually when Rennie has concerns about Russell going off-script, he pairs him with the calming influence of Henry Pyrgos at scrum-half.
He was tempted to do so again but admitted he could not ignore the form of George Horne, with Pyrgos on the bench and Ali Price not even in the squad.
Horne, 23, is as much of a livewire as Russell, and Rennie is hoping sparks might fly between them.
‘George is in there on form,’ he said. ‘He’s a bit of a freak in regards to his speed and conditioning.
‘He is a leader, gets to the breakdown very quickly. He is consistent and electric. He has worked really hard on his distribution game and is passing really well.
‘George is a tough little b **** r and is very competitive and I like that about him.
‘From a combination point of view, Finn and George have played less together than our other nines but that’s not an issue for me.
‘They are both expressive players so, if our big men can get us on the front foot, the pair of them can be a handful.
‘As for back-up to George, Henry gets the call because he’s a little bit different, more experienced and has an excellent kicking game. He can control the match very well if he comes on.
‘Ali is not involved as we always said we would pick on form and that reputations would count for nothing. We’ve been true to our word and George has been excellent, so deserves his start with Henry on the bench.’
Rennie has also made a brave choice with his centre partnership, where Sam Johnson and Nick Grigg are given the nod ahead of Scotland pair Alex Dunbar and Huw Jones, who recently returned to fitness following injury but, like Price, have been left out completely.
The Kiwi believes the uncapped Johnson and Grigg have been playing better as a combination.
‘Nick and Sam have been our best midfielders throughout the year,’ said Rennie. ‘Sam is really good with ball in hand, he has great feet, is a top-class defender and a good communicator.
‘Nick is quick and dynamic in attack. He’s a good chop defender.
‘Scarlets have a reasonably big midfield with Hadleigh Parkes there and Rhys Patchell at ten, who is very good challenging the line.
‘We need to make sure we’re strong defensively there. Both Sam and Nick are very good in that department and they are good ball carriers with the ability to get behind the defence and create quick ball for us.
‘For them, like all our players, attitude is everything. It’s a “notomorrow” scenario if we don’t get it right. We’ve picked our best team possible and feel totally ready.’
Having lost every game in the European Champions Cup this term, Rennie accepts the Pro14 semi-finals were the minimum achievement as he targets the title in his first year in charge.
‘I think a pass mark is making the semis, anything below that would have been a massive disappointment,’ he said. ‘You’ve got to put yourself in the race.’
Scarlets are without Leigh Halfpenny who has a hamstring strain. Johnny McNicholl, who has been out for four months with a shoulder injury, replaces him at full-back in his comeback match.