Russell targets international return after Townsend rift

Finn Russell admits his British and Irish Lions dreams hinge on him successfully repairing his relationship with Gregor Townsend and making his much-anticipated Scotland return.

The mercurial stand-off is convinced his public fallout with Townsend on the eve of the Six Nations is now a thing of the past, with both men having buried the hatchet in clear-theair talks.

In fact, Russell believes the spat will prove to have a positive effect, with the pair now enjoying a growing bond not there previously in their eight years working together with Glasgow Warriors and the international team.

Ultimately, the Racing 92 star, who recently agreed a new contract tying him to the French side for another three years, is hopeful that will prove fruitful for him and the nation in a Scotland jersey – and potentially when the Lions tour South Africa next summer.

He said: “I’ve worked with Gregor my whole career, almost eight years now. But like we’ve both realised now, we didn’t have that relationship that we probably needed to get the best of each other.

“During a Six Nations, it (the disagreement) is not ideal, obviously.

“But it has almost brought to light how we need to get better and how we need to work together in the future, and the understandings we need to have with each other.

“I think, going forward, it will be better for me and Gregor.

“Hopefully – and I would imagine – in the future when we’re back working together, it will be a different relationship and the way we interact with each other will be different, which should be very good, I think.”

On the potential for a Lions tour, he added: “I’ve not spoken to (head coach Warren) Gatland at all.

“I’ll probably have to chat with Gregor, I would imagine he’ll speak with him (Gatland) a lot more than I would.”

Finn Russell is keen on a return for Scotland and the Lions.