Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Five clubs plot huge swoop for Scotland talisman Finn Russell

Finn Russell of Bath Rugby looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images)

Five clubs from the Gallagher Premiership, the Top 14 and Japan are already on the starting line to open talks with Scotland and Lions superstar Finn Russell when he enters the final year of his £1.2m contract with Bath next July, RugbyPass understand.

ADVERTISEMENT

Russell, 32, one of the most creative fly-halves in the game, has scored 397 points in 81 Scotland appearances and is their fourth all-time leading scorer, with only Chris Paterson, Greig Laidlaw, and Gavin Hastings scoring more for their country.

A key part of the Glasgow Warriors squad that lifted the PRO12 title in 2015, Russell enjoyed a hugely successful stint in Paris with Racing 92 before moving to Bath after Scotland’s early exit from the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Video Spacer

The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson

Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.

Video Spacer

The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson

Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.

Racing are understood to be one of the clubs interested in signing Russell, but the decision would depend on what former England skipper Owen Farrell does when his two-year contract expires at the same time.

The pair participated in the Lions’ 2017 tour to New Zealand and, four years later, the trip to South Africa, and Russell, who made 107 appearances in five seasons with the Paris glamour boys, is still highly regarded at La Defense Arena.

Fixture
Internationals
Scotland
10:10
16 Nov 24
Portugal
All Stats and Data

He was spotted deep in conversation with the Racing president Laurent Travers when he attended Scotland’s 32-15 defeat at the hands of back-to-back World Cup winners South Africa at Scottish Gas Murrayfield last Sunday.

Stade Francais are also keen to speak to him, and former Premiership and Champions Cup winners Saracens have also expressed an interest, as have Japanese side Urayasu D-Rocks, who Laidlaw now coaches.

ADVERTISEMENT

Laidlaw is keen to link up with his compatriot Russell in the Japan Rugby League One.

Bristol Bears owner Steve Lansdown has made him his No 1 target to play alongside his Scotland international team-mate Tom Jordan, who the West Country side have lined up for a move next summer.

Related

Louis Rees-Zammit joins Jim Hamilton for the latest episode of Walk the Talk to discuss his move to the NFL. Watch now on RugbyPass TV

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

5 Comments
C
CB 18 hours ago

All a tad premature I would have thought..

E
Ed the Duck 20 hours ago

There a little bit inside that would die if Finn signed for $arrie$ after the impact they had on Warriors European chances…!

T
Tom 20 hours ago

I don't seem him going to a different English club. If he leaves Bath he'll go abroad.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING ‘Not a huge surprise’: Michael Hooper on All Blacks’ win over Ireland ‘Not a huge surprise’: Michael Hooper on All Blacks’ win over Ireland
Search