Russell can sink France and secure Lions role
AS no less a judge than Dan Carter noted, Finn Russell has the talent to shine on the grandest of stages. Would there be any better time for the Scotland playmaker to post a reminder of his genius than in this Sunday’s battle royale with France in Paris?
With Les Bleus depleted by a Covid outbreak, Scotland have a great chance to reignite their Six Nations Championship ambitions by claiming the scalp of the tournament favourites.
Adored by the Racing 92 supporters, Russell will be doubly determined to put on a good showing in the city he calls home as Gregor Townsend’s men bid to bounce back from their disappointing loss to Wales.
And if the 28-year-old needed any further motivation, Sunday’s match gives him another chance to show he is streets ahead of all the other candidates to wear the Lions No 10 jersey this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail at the weekend, Carter couldn’t see past Russell as the starter for No 10 with the Lions.
‘I’ve been following Finn since he joined Racing 92 and he has been ripping it up,’ said the former All Blacks fly-half. ‘He’s in world-class form at the moment. If he continues that through the Six Nations and into the Lions, I can’t see why you shouldn’t pick him.’
Former Wales coach Warren Gatland seems to want Scottish players to go that extra mile compared to those from other nations before he selects them. He has made clear he didn’t choose many for his last two Lions squads because Scotland didn’t win away from home enough.
Sorry, Warren, but that argument won’t wash any more.
Townsend’s team beat Wales away for the first time in 18 years when they won 14-10 in Llanelli back in October. Only a fortnight ago they beat England at Twickenham for the first time in 38 years.
If Scotland can win in Paris for the first time since 1999, the case for Russell will be cast iron. Gatland’s other options haven’t covered themselves in glory in this Six Nations.
Ireland’s Johnny Sexton is 35 and injury prone and didn’t manage to get his back line moving as much as he could have against Wales in the Six Nations opener before he went off injured. Dan Biggar of Wales is a safe pair of hands but doesn’t have the spark of Russell.
Those who felt England’s Owen Farrell was a stick-on to start at ten for the Lions before the Six Nations will be eating humble pie. He was overshadowed by Russell in Scotland’s win over England and was moved to 12 for the win over Italy.
If Russell can orchestrate a Scotland victory in Paris, surely even Gatland must accept that he is the man to call the shots against the Springboks.