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Russell anticipates 'inevitable' breaking of legend's record
By PA
Finn Russell believes it is “inevitable” that prolific wing pair Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe will become Scotland’s two highest try-scorers of all time.
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The Edinburgh duo have spoken openly in recent months about their battle to overtake Stuart Hogg, who ended his 100-cap career at the top of the charts on 27 touchdowns.
Graham, 26, has already bagged five tries at this World Cup – including four against Romania on Saturday – to move joint-second with Ian Smith and Tony Stanger on 24, while 28-year-old Van der Merwe, who was rested against Romania, is sixth on 21.
Stand-off Russell declared that it is only a matter of time before they both catch his long-term team-mate Hogg as he discussed the world-class threat they possess ahead of Saturday’s crucial World Cup shootout with Ireland in Paris.
“I wouldn’t say (in) this game but it would be nice if they both went past it in this game,” Russell said when asked if they will overtake former full-back Hogg’s tally.
“I would imagine so, it’s kind of inevitable, isn’t it, the way those two are playing.
“Obviously Darcy got four on Saturday and one against Tonga, and I just think the finishing ability both of these boys have is outstanding.
“Duhan scored one against England (in the Six Nations in February) from nothing, Darcy’s scored in the last two games from nothing.
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“Darcy’s three tries away from Hoggy and Duhan’s six away. These guys can score three in a game easily enough so I think both of them will catch him if they stay fit and healthy, which is a shame for Hoggy.
“He had 100 caps, these boys have had less than 40. That’s credit to these boys and the style of rugby we’re playing that we’re getting the ball to the edges and they’re finishing it and doing their job out there.”
Russell believes Scotland have the back-line to trouble any team on the planet.
“The quicker we can get the ball into Darcy and Duhan’s hands the better,” he said. “Inside of that Blair (Kinghorn) has been outstanding, Sione (Tuipulotu) and Shuggie (Huw Jones) are working so well together, we’ve got so many threats throughout the backline that the quicker we can get the ball there, the better.
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“That doesn’t mean we rush to get the ball there but the quicker we can get it there in the right situation, the better.
“The forwards we’ve got are great as well and if we can get our set-piece right that will give us a great platform to launch off the back of and allow the boys outside of me to do what they can.”
Russell feels having players of Graham and Van der Merwe’s quality on the wing helps enhance his own game.
“It’s great because I know that once the ball goes two or three sets of hands wide, as soon as Darcy and Duhan and Blair get their hands on the ball that something can happen,” he said.
“They can beat players one-on-one, they can get offloads, they can score from nothing, so it gives myself confidence to make sure the ball gets there and as a team we get a real confidence lift if these boys get the ball in their hands and start breaking tackles and getting us on the front foot.”
Great photo of the pass that should have led to a try