GREGOR’S PLAYER EXODUS FEAR

GREGOR TOWNSEND fears his Scotland team will be harmed if he loses too many top players to cash-rich sides. Finn Russell is set to join French giants Racing 92 from Glasgow Warriors for a reputed £750,000 a year from next season. And Jonny Gray could command a salary of around £500,000 if he quits Glasgow when his contract ends in the summer, with Bristol among the clubs showing interest. Having the majority of his players on his doorstep at Glasgow or Edinburgh allows Townsend to call the shots on when they are rested, a necessity which will be denied him as Scotland head coach if they move to wealthier leagues in France or England. ‘The best thing for the national team is to have more people playing in Scotland,’ said Townsend. ‘It helps with coaching time and game management. A lot of players got rested from Edinburgh and Glasgow the week before the Samoa game. If more and more players left Scotland, that’s going to be tougher. ‘A huge reason why Ireland have been so successful over the last few years — is that their players are in that same arena. They are all playing in Ireland. ‘They’re getting managed there, they’re building up combinations and connections with players whether it’s at teams like Leinster or Munster. ‘It’s been a big advantage for us having players in Scotland. ‘We’ve got two guys currently injured playing in France that were likely to be in our squad (Greig Laidlaw and Richie Gray) and we’ll have a third in Finn. ‘We’ve got to make sure not too many players leave Scotland.’ French clubs have a reputation of getting their pound of flesh from their overseas players but Townsend anticipates Russell being treated well there. ‘I’d hope whatever club he turns up at in France, they’ll want the best out of Finn,’ he said. ‘From a rugby perspective and a physical perspective. ‘Clubs like Clermont and Toulouse, where Greig Laidlaw and Richie Gray join us from, they understand that these are international players who have got big commitments. ‘Obviously it’s the club who have the decision if they’re training that week, playing that week or getting rested.’