Russell using Warrior spirit as inspiration for Paris Test

FINN RUSSELL will take massive encouragement from his recent victory in Paris ahead of his latest trip to the French capital — but the fly-half also learned more about the dangers that lie in wait for Scotland.

Glasgow beat Racing 92 home and away in December on their way to reaching the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup and Russell was man of the match both times after outshining opposite number Dan Carter.

Twelve of Scotland’s squad for today’s Six Nations clash play for Warriors and head coach Vern Cotter has a deep knowledge of the French game after coaching Clermont for eight years.

Russell said: ‘It’s only one French team but you kind of get a feel for how the French like to play. And Vern obviously coached there for years and knows the French style and a lot of their players.’

Scotland go into the game ahead of the French following their opening win over Ireland, but their opponents took some positives from their 19-16 defeat against the tournament favourites.

‘They are the sort of team that will attack from anywhere, they are dangerous from anywhere. They have individuals who can create tries and score from nothing,’ Russell added.

‘So we know how dangerous they are going to be and in defence they are quite unpredictable. So we have to be on our toes and be ready for anything. They will be hurting from the weekend so we know how tough it’s going to be. And they have a lot of big boys, and I will have a lot of them coming at me, which I guess is part of the sport.

‘Our forwards know the job they have to do, and the backs as well. We know how tough a game it’s going to be but we are ready for it.’ France: S Spedding; N Nakaitaci, R Lamerat, G Fickou, V Vakatawa; C Lopez, B Serin; C Baille, G Guirado, U Atonio (capt), S Vahaamahina, Y Maestri, L Goujon, K Gourdon, L Picamoles. reps: C Tolofua, R Slimani, X Chiocci, J Le Devedec, D Chouly, M Machenaud, JM Doussain, Y Huget Scotland: S Hogg, S Maitland, T Seymour, H Jones, A Dunbar, F Russell, G Laidlaw; A Dell, F Brown, Z Fagerson, R Gray, J Gray, J Barclay, J Strauss, H Watson. reps: R Ford, G Reid, S Berghan, T Swinson, J Hardie, A Price, D Weir, M Bennett. tV: Live on RTÉ 2 2.45pm & BBC 1 2.15pm (KO 3pm) reFeree: Jaco Peyper (RSA).