Russell into Scot squad as Hastings drops out
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Finn Russell of Scotland and Gregor Townsend, Head Coach of Scotland talk prior to the Guinness Six Nations match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on February 06, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Coach Gregor Townsend has called up Finn Russell into his Scotland squad as cover to replace the injured Adam Hastings.
Calls for Russell to be included had been growing after strong performances by the fly-half domestically, and two flat attacking displays by the Scots so far in this year’s Autumn Nations Series.
And it seems Townsend has used the opportunity of a gap appearing in his squad to call-up Russell, who has been in fine form for domestic club Racing 92 in victories over Montpellier, Brive and Perpignan.
Scotland’s next game is against New Zealand this Sunday, who they are winless against in 31 matches, before their series concludes against Argentina, who they will be seeking revenge from after losing 2-1 in a summer series against them.
Townsend revealed that Russell would be “in the mix” if Hastings was indeed sidelined, but it remains to be seen whether he will come into the side straight away and start, occupy a bench role, or be left out of the matchday squad entirely.
With an eight-day turnaround between their win against Fiji and upcoming New Zealand game and now a full week of preparation for Russell, there is a good chance he could come into the side and start without disrupting any preparations for the All Blacks test.
Russell and Townsend have endured a difficult relationship together, beginning with Russell being sent home ahead of the 2020 Six Nations after he refused to stop drinking when asked by a member of staff on a Sunday night, and then failed to appear at a training session on the following Monday morning.
Poor form and another breach of protocol led to him being dropped for the final game of this year’s Championship, and after being “rested” for the South American tour in July, Russell was again left out of the squad for this Autumn.
“It’s about form and consistency,” head coach Gregor Townsend said of his fly-half selections at the time of the initial squad being picked. “The 10s that are in our squad, in particular Adam Hastings, have shown very good form his season. We want to reward that.
“For Finn we want him to respond to this challenge and show regular form and consistency for his club.”
It appears that Russell has indeed responded to such a challenge, but it remains to see what role he will play when Townsend choose his squad for New Zealand on Friday.
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