Finn will be itching to prove he’s one of world’s best No10s

THERE will be almost 67,000 people packed inside BT Murrayfield this afternoon for Scotland’s showpiece fixture in this Autumn Nations Series against the All Blacks.

If you were to ask those supporters how they feel about Finn Russell being back in the team, I reckon you would pretty much have a unanimous agreement that it’s the right thing to do.

I’m delighted to see Russell back and I’m sure the vast majority of fans feel the same way. The simple fact of the matter is that his inclusion gives Scotland a better chance of winning.

He has been in outstanding form for Racing 92 over the past few weeks, showcasing the talents that the national side missed so badly in his absence.

When you also look at it from New Zealand’s point of view, they would have been delighted had Russell been left on the sidelines.

Whereas, now that he’s back in the team, they will know he has the potential to cause them all sorts of problems.

Russell will step on to the field this afternoon with a point to prove. We haven’t seen the best of him in a Scotland jersey for quite some time.

He will want to put on a performance that shows why he’s still far and away Scotland’s top fly-half — and actually one of the best 10s in world rugby.

If he can inspire Scotland to a historic win, it would be the latest incredible chapter in his career with the national team.

The All Blacks aren’t quite at full strength but they are still a hell of a team. The spine of their side in particular is still really impressive. In No8 Ardie Savea, they have someone who I believe will be firmly in the running for World Player of the Year.

I know New Zealand aren’t quite at the level they were a few years ago but I don’t buy into this narrative of them being ‘weak’ or a ‘spent force’ or anything like that.

You only have to look at how they destroyed Wales in Cardiff last week. That was a seriously impressive performance in pretty much every department.

True, they’ve had a few wobbles over the past year or so. Ireland, in particular, seem to have their number at the moment.

But it’s still the All Blacks. They are still an awesome team who will always be capable of ripping opponents to shreds at any moment.

For Scotland to claim a first-ever win in this fixture, our players will have to produce the performance of their lives.

That’s the level we need. We need our boys to be pretty much 10 out of 10 across the board if we are going to beat New Zealand.

It’s still a huge hurdle for us.

But, if we can do it, it would completely reignite the whole squad and atmosphere around the team just a year out from the World Cup.