Russell returns as Scots warm up for Wales with 8-try romp
FINN Russell insists he would be happy to play alongside Adam Hastings after giving Scotland coach Gregor Townsend a selection dilemma for their Six Nations clash with Wales on Saturday.
The Racing 92 star came off the bench to earn his 50th cap in Friday’s 48-7 warm-up win over Georgia and immediately showed his class on his return after his exile earli
er this year following a breach of team protocol.
The Scots were 22-7 up when Russell entered the fray after 54 minutes, but the speed and variety of his passing brought width to the attack and helped add four more tries in the final quarter, including one for debutant wing Duhan van der Merwe.
Townsend moved Hastings, who has started Scotland’s last five games at fly-half, to inside centre in place of James Lang, and must now decide whether to hand Russell the reins at 10 as they seek a first win in Wales since 2002.
“I like playing with Hasto,” Russell said. “I feel it could be a very good attack; it changes the picture a lot for the opposition. He was good at 12. It was good for me knowing if I give him the ball, he is another threat out there, another 10.
“I wasn’t trying to do too much. I just played my game and had some fun. It is not for me to decide who plays 10 or 12. It’s not me against Hasto – it’s a team game and I’ll support him as much if he’s starting, or at 12, or on the bench, as I would anyone in the team.”
The only time the playmaking duo previously started a Test together was against Argentina at Murrayfield in November 2018, with Hastings at 10 and Russell at 12. Sam Johnson
could also come into the mix next week after making his comeback for Glasgow yesterday.
“Wales will pose different threats in defence but different opportunities for us to score against,” added Russell. “There is something to play for so it will be a different energy and mentality going into it.”
Van der Merwe’s try – from an inside pass from Russell – in a solid debut gave Townsend food for thought with Sean Maitland’s immediate future unclear after his part in the Barbarians’ game with England being called off. Darcy Graham’s brace of tries confirmed his return to form after injury on the other wing.
Townsend may have another decision to make at No.8, with Matt Fagerson requiring a scan on an ankle injury which forced him off. If he is ruled out, Cornell du Preez or Nick Haining could start against Wales, with Blade Thomson an outside bet.
A dominant front-five display in which locks Ben Toolis and Scott Cummings both excelled yielded three tries from lineout drives, two for hooker Fraser Brown in his first game as captain and another for his replacement Stuart McInally. Hamish Watson and Blair Kinghorn added further scores and Georgia finished with 14 men after a late yellow card for replacement No.9 Gela Aprasidze.
“Wales will provide more threats in attack and defence and it’s a big step up with Six Nations points at stake,” said Townsend. “I’m sure you’ll see an improved performance.”