‘French game has helped give boost to Russell’

ous because there will be a couple of mistakes. We want to limit that because we don’t want to give them turnover ball.

“We are certainly going to try to use our forwards smartly but we’re still going to try to shift the ball.

“That’s the genetics of this team now, we want to play quick rugby and we’re not going away from that.”

Both he and Russell get an extra frisson of excitement coming back to Scotland from France, said Laidlaw, and he thinks playing for Racing will give Finn the boost to his career that he’s had since he went to Clermont.

“Since he’s settled in to Racing I think you can all Finn Russell has always had the flair to light up a match but Mike Blair believes the Scotland playmaker now has the patience to control an entire 80 minutes.

The 26-year-old has made a made an impressive start since swapping Glasgow for a big-money contract at French giants Racing 92 in the summer.

But while the latest additions to his highlights reel, be it the off-the-cuff chip he produced against Champions Cup opponents Ulster or any one of the numerous no-look passes he has pulled off, have stunned the Parisian faithful, it is the poise Russell has shown in the crucial moments that have made Blair sit up and take notice.

The Dark Blues assistant coach has experience himself of playing in the Top 14 with Brive and knows there is more to the French domestic scene than just throwing the ball about.

And he says the increased emphasis on discipline and control is already making an

see what a quality rugby player he is. He’s going really well in the Top 14 as well as Europe and I certainly knew before he left Scotland that impact on the Scots’ maverick talisman.

Blair, speaking ahead of today’s Test clash with Fiji, said: “I think Finn’s had a great start to the season. He’s enjoying himself and when Finn’s enjoying himself that brings out his best rugby.

“Racing have been pretty good with him as well in terms of when he’s able to come in and work with us.

“He’s got a good balance to his game now.

“In France you typically kick a little bit more than you’d imagine. You think of the French league and think they throw it around from anywhere but there’s a little bit more structure there.

“He’s had to manage games but he’s also had games he’s had to play a lot more. That gamemanagement thing, they put a lot of onus and pressure on the nine and 10 in France to deal with those areas and he’s done that well.”

Russell will pull on a dark blue jersey for the first time since the Six Nations when he starts against the Fijians. The Scots know exactly how dangerous the Pacific Islanders can be after slipping to a 27-22 defeat in Suva last year.

he’s a quality rugby player.

“But it’s up to Finn and myself essentially to control the game, and to do our jobs. I’ve got every belief we can do that.”