With Russell back in the fold, three wins is the least we should expect
THREE wins is the minimum requirement for Scotland in the Six nations. anything less would be a failure.
that may sound a tall order — they face Wales, ireland and italy at Bt Murrayfield — but, boosted by the return of the enigmatic Finn Russell, they should at least equal last year’s tournament victories.
Russell walked out of the Scotland team hotel after a row with gregor townsend ahead of the opening match of the 2020 Six nations against ireland and his influence and creativity were badly missed.
the pair made up over the summer and he returned for the Covid-delayed final Six nations match against Wales in Llanelli in late September but lasted just 32 minutes before having to come off injured.
an instagram post emerged over the weekend of Russell juggling two tennis rackets and a tennis ball in the team hotel, apparently in good spirits and showing no little skill, which was good to see. Having a relaxed and happy Russell back in the Scotland fold for the duration of the tournament cannot be underestimated.
the Racing 92 fly-half is the man needed to turn games Scotland’s way. He goes into the Championship as the best fly-half in the tournament and will relish the chance to show his worth on the big stage. With the Lions tour to come this year, he can also prove to Warren gatland he is the man to take on the Springboks.
there is, of course, a huge onus on townsend (below) to get the best out of all his players.
there was a lack of consistency from the Scots during the autumn nations Cup — which Russell missed through injury. a decent win against italy in Florence was followed by a seven-point loss to France at Bt Murrayfield before a comprehensive 31-16 defeat to ireland in Dublin.
But just look at the talent in his squad. these are players coming to their peak.
townsend isn’t daft enough to say publicly Scotland will win this Six nations as there is no point putting unnecessary pressure on his players by making such bold claims. But the fixtures have fallen kindly for his team and there is no reason why they can’t beat England — who will be missing key forwards including Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola and Sam Underhill — at an empty twickenham in Saturday’s opener. that 38-38 draw two years ago should see them go south with no fear and the lack of fans can only be a bonus for the visitors.
then there is Wales at home, a team in transition who Scotland beat only a few months ago. a positive start to the campaign — something they have so often failed to provide in recent years — and who knows where the tournament could lead.
MY SCOTLAND STARTING XV FOR ENGLAND:
Stuart Hogg; Sean Maitland, Chris Harris, Duncan Taylor, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray, Jamie Ritchie (if fit), Blade Thomson, Hamish Watson.