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'Finn is in more pain than Adam' - Scotland face potential flyhalf crisis ahead of Autumn Nations Cup

By PA
Scotland's Finn Russell. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Scotland face a potential outside-half crisis ahead of the Autumn Nations Cup amid fears that Finn Russell might require surgery.

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Gregor Townsend’s side claimed a third successive win in the delayed 2020 Guinness Six Nations Championship with a 14-10 win over Wales in Llanelli, Scotland’s first win on Welsh soil since 2002.

But the win was marred by injuries to Russell and Adam Hastings, with both fly-halves forced off before the final whistle.

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Eddie Jones’ post-match press conference.

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Eddie Jones’ post-match press conference.

Racing 92 star Russell lasted little more than half an hour and his replacement Hastings had to come off in the final 10 minutes.

“Finn is in more pain than Adam. He was involved in a tackle and his leg just went to the side,” said Scotland head coach Townsend.

“He felt something go in his groin/adductor. It’s similar to what Grant Gilchrist did over in Munster with Edinburgh.

“A couple of days later he thought he would be OK but that wasn’t the case – he’s had to have surgery.”

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“Adam sub-luxed his shoulder twice in the second half. The first went back in quite quickly and he carried on, but the second one he had to be removed from the field of play.

“Hopefully it won’t keep him out too long.”

Scotland have now won four games on the bounce wins with post-lockdown victories over Georgia and Wales coming on the back of Six Nations successes against France and Italy.

They will return to action in the Autumn Nations Cup with group games against Fiji, France and Italy before the end of November.

Full-back Stuart Hogg finished the Wales game at outside-half and Townsend says he has options there if Russell and Hastings are ruled out.

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“James Lang has played a fair bit of 10, but we felt it was a case of the fewer the changes, the better,” Townsend said of Hogg’s move to outside-half.

“Scott Steele played 10 minutes on the wing for Harlequins a few weeks ago and Hoggy can move in at first receiver within games.

“We’ve got options at 10, Duncan Weir has been playing really well and Jaco van der Walt becomes qualified for France or Fiji.

“We’ve got a week off to reflect on that and see where Finn and Adam are.

“We’re hoping their injuries aren’t serious but it does look quite bad just now.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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