The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)

Townsend and Russell remain at an impasse.

●Townsend says no fresh discussion­s with Russell

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Gregor Townsend says there have been no fresh talks with Finn Russell as his stand-off with the Scotland talisman continues.

Russell has missed the Dark Blues’ opening two Six Nations clashes so far this year, and will again be absent when Townsend’s team run out in Rome for Saturday’s showdown with Italy.

The row was initially sparked by allegation­s of a late-night drinking session which breached team rules.

It has since developed into a debate over the Racing 92 star’s relationsh­ip with the head coach and his place in the team’s decision-making structure.

Russell cast his internatio­nal future into major doubt the day after the Scots’ 16-9 defeat by England when he gave an interview with the Sunday Times detailing the extent of the breakdown of his partnershi­p with his former Glasgow boss, insisting:

“There’s no relationsh­ip, we don’t work at all together.”

Townsend responded the following day with a flurry of statements and interviews in which he made it clear Russell would only be welcomed back if the fly-half agreed to sign up to the team’s new standards of behaviour.

Now Townsend says there have been no further developmen­ts to the status quo in the nine days that have followed.

And the Scotland head coach declined to discuss the impasse further as he insisted his focus is on preparing the players he does have available for the Azzurri.

Asked if he had spoken with Russell since he made his public response to the Sunday Times, Townsend told a press conference: “Since we spoke to you, probably not, no.

“We’re obviously focused on the 23 going out this weekend. He’s not in that, so I’d prefer to focus on that 23.”

While Russell remains in Paris, Edinburgh forwards Stuart McInally and Ben Toolis and Gloucester centre Chris Harris have been welcomed back into the staring XV for this weekend’s run out at the Stadio Olimpico.

Hooker McInally swaps places with Glasgow’s Fraser Brown, who moves to the bench, while second-row Toolis comes in for the injured Jonny Gray.

Harris has been selected ahead of Huw Jones, who drops out of the 23-man squad.

Sale Sharks wing Byron McGuigan takes Harris’ place on the bench.

Speaking about the changes, Townsend said: “We believe Chris and Stuart deserve this opportunit­y.

“They were very close to the starting XV when we entered this campaign.

“We think this is the right time for them to come in.

“Chris has been excellent for Gloucester this season and has continued to make improvemen­ts since the summer. He works very hard on both sides of the ball, which will be important this week.

“Stuart has shown over the past few weeks he’s back to full fitness and is raring to go, and Ben gets an opportunit­y to start following Jonny’s injury against England.

“Second-row is a position

(where) we have a lot of competitio­n with a number of very good players available for selection.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how he combines again with Scott (Cummings) after a successful outing together against Russia in the World Cup.”

Neither side has won a match in this season’s Six Nations, Scotland losing to Ireland and England, while Italy suffered away defeats to Wales and France.

“Italy are always a very tough opponent, especially in Rome, where we know they’ll look to play with a huge amount of energy,” Townsend said.

“It’s a different Italy team to the one we’ve played in the past. In their opening two games of the championsh­ip they have played with real ambition and width.

“They’ve also selected athletic ball-players who suit this strategy and are comfortabl­e playing at a high tempo,” Townsend said.

“We are well aware of the threats throughout their team and how their attacking game can cause problems for any defence,” he added.

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 ??  ?? HAPPIER DAYS: Finn Russell, left, and Gregor Townsend during a training session at Oriam in the middle of last season’s Six Nations campaign; Russell has played no part in this year’s Six Nations
HAPPIER DAYS: Finn Russell, left, and Gregor Townsend during a training session at Oriam in the middle of last season’s Six Nations campaign; Russell has played no part in this year’s Six Nations
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