A GUARANTEED BLOCKBUSTER

Scottish feel on an international cast list as big guns battle for club rugby’s top prize

IT’S a day of days in the sporting world. Titanic tussles aplenty, bodies being thrust on the line, and no little passion even if that beating lifeblood of sport, the fans, are forced to surround television sets rather than the fields of play.

The Old Firm and Merseyside derbies will, of course, catch the eye for those of a footballing persuasion as they kick off at lunchtime today. Yet perhaps even those more accustomed to the round rather than oval ball might stay tuned for an event later in the day blessed with no little intrigue of its own.

At first glance, Exeter Chiefs v Racing 92 in the European Champions Cup might not seem l i kely to transcend the usual sporting boundaries. However, throw into the mix the allure of two of Scotland’s most talented sportsmen going head- to- head and i t suddenly becomes a tantalising proposition.

Stuart Hogg going up against Scotland team-mate and fellow Glasgow Warriors alumni Finn Russell is blockbuster. Exeter’s flying full-back versus the stylish stand-off who sets Racing’s pulses racing. Old friends now rivals.

It’s not quite hero and villain, of course. But it is the captain of the national team up against the man who stormed out of Gregor Townsend’s squad on the eve of this year’s Six Nations.

Oli v e branches have been extended, hatchets have been buried, time has been a great healer... yet who among us won’t be watching for that first tackle, when these two supreme talents collide in the heat of battle?

And given what’s at stake, who would blame either for ensuring the other is left in no doubt that friendships are reserved for Zoom calls and get-togethers?

Earlier this week, Hogg and Russell both admitted what you would expect. They are huge fans of each other’s talent.

Hogg recalled that they have only been in opposition once before, at Under-14 level, so this will be a new experience at what is, thus far, the pinnacle of each man’s club career.

‘Finn is an unbelievable talent, one of the best tens in the world,’ said 28-year-old Hogg. ‘He has the ability to change a game in a heartbeat and I know how he plays. He is one guy we are going to have to be wary of.

‘Nothing fazes him: if he makes a mistake, he gets on with it. You think he does not care but deep down he truly does. Ask him to do a basic skill and he will say: “Stuff that” and chuck a 30-yard pass out the back door which will be perfect. You have to give him the licence to play because he can change a game. I am happy he is Scottish.’

Russell was equally effusive about Hogg but admitted: ‘You’ll probably see me doing a lot of kicking down towards him. I know what attacking threats he has got and where we could target him in defence.

‘It is a good option I have but, at the same time, he knows how I like to play. He knows what I might look for and might know how to counter that. I could maybe kick a few with my left foot this weekend to throw him off a little bit.’

With the Scotland squad meeting up ahead of next Friday’s clash against Georgia, there is plenty of interest in the camp about what transpires today.

Yet, it would be wrong to suggest Hogg and Russell are the only persons of interest. Fellow Scots Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Sam Skinner and Jonny Gray line up alongside Hogg for Exeter.

And one man in particular will be keeping a close eye on proceedings.

Richie Gray has returned to Townsend’s national squad after a two-year absence and he is looking forward to hearing all about his younger brother’s exploits before, hopefully, combing with him again in the second row for his country.

Jonny has followed in his brother’s footsteps by leaving Scotstoun to try his hand down south and his recent move to the Chiefs has quickly paid dividends. While Richie has returned north to replace his sibling in Glasgow, he’ll be roaring on his brother as he runs out at Bristol’s Ashton Gate stadium.

Richie admitted: ‘It will be a proud moment for the family seeing Jonny in that game.

‘I am hugely proud of him. He only went down there at the start of July and slotted in really well. The way he has been playing for Exeter, it looks like he’s been there for years.’

In terms of team news, England wing Jack Nowell starts in an Exeter team showing one change from their European semi-final win against Toulouse.

Flanker Jacques Vermeulen features instead of Skinner, while Racing show three changes after they knocked out Saracens.

Wing Louis Dupichot, centre Henry Chavancy and lock Bernard Le Roux all start, with Teddy Thomas not f eaturing among Racing’s matchday 23.

Yet while t he f i nal has an international feel, there is little doubting its Scottish blend. Let battle commence.