FINN THE MOOD
Russell back on boil to bring smile to the face of Scots coach
It’s been a long time coming but Finn Russell is finally looking back to his best. Yet, possibly the only one still to be convinced of that is the scotland stand-off himself as he joined his international team-mates in st Andrews last night to prepare for the forthcoming six Nations.
His display in Glasgow Warriors’ European Champions Cup win over Racing 92 on saturday was so impressive, it even brought a smile to the usually stony face of scotland head coach Vern Cotter.
Russell, however, refuses to take his starting place against England in the six Nations opener for granted, such has been his previous form this season.
And he believes his main rivals for the scotland jersey — Duncan Weir, who yesterday agreed to join Edinburgh on a two-year deal from next season and Wasps’ Ruaridh Jackson — have as good a chance as him of starting the Calcutta Cup clash.
‘I wouldn’t say the jersey is mine just now as Ruaridh Jackson and Duncy Weir have been playing really well,’ said Russell.
‘We are now in the scotland camp and there will be training sessions and fitness sessions, and we’ll see what happens after them.’
the competition between Russell and Weir looks set to heat up from next season anyway, with the latter’s move to Edinburgh.
It is little wonder that 24-year-old Weir jumped at the chance to move east in the internal transfer partly which was made at the behest of Cotter, who wanted him moved to get him more game time.
Weir will become Edinburgh’s first-choice stand-off next season with Phil Burleigh moving to centre to replace Matt scott when he heads for Gloucester.
starting regularly will be something new to Weir, who spent six years as understudy first to Jackson and then Russell for both club and country, which was something that left him frustrated.
‘I feel I’ve improved a lot during my time at Glasgow and I’m looking forward to adding to that at Edinburgh, not only continuing my development but helping the team to improve, too,’ said Weir.
‘It does help the transition, knowing a number of the Edinburgh players from scotland duty and, for much of that time, having worked with Duncan Hodge at scotland, who is now Edinburgh assistant coach.
‘As a 10, I’m still pretty young at 24 so I still want to develop even more. the club are playing more attacking rugby now, too, and as a 10 the opportunity to bring even more fluency between the forwards and backs is key to a free-flowing attack and is an exciting challenge.’
Losing Weir does Glasgow no favours. they will be left with Russell as their only international No 10, with 23-year-old Gregor Hunter, who has never made the breakthrough and is out injured just now, his only official back-up.
Peter Horne could play there but that could affect his scotland chances in his favoured centre role.
As has been the case regularly over the past two years, Russell was the starting 10 for Glasgow as usual against Racing 92, with Weir on the bench. After a turgid first period, in which a Russell penalty separated the sides, Glasgow came alive in the second half.
A try from Hogg, three penalties and a conversion from Russell, plus two penalties from Weir, put the gloss on what was a dead rubber as Glasgow were already out of the European Champions Cup before the match started.
Warriors head coach townsend admitted it had been tough to let Weir go but felt it was a good move for him.
‘Duncan has been outstanding for us over the last few years,’ said townsend. ‘He’s had to go through some tough times with injuries, but he always brings enthusiasm to training and he’s playing some really good rugby.
‘It’ll be tough for us to go up against him next season, but he wants to fight for the stand-off position at Edinburgh.
‘He will continue to be an important player for us till the end of the season, as will Finn.
‘I thought Finn played well as the game went on last week against Northampton and he was excellent from the start this week against Racing 92.’ SCORERS; Glasgow — Try: Hogg. Cons: Russell. Pens: Russell (3), Weir (2).
Racing 92 — Try: Gomes.
Attendance: 9,063.