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'It's an important game for Finn': How Scotland believe the Russell effect can work in their favour in France

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Gregor Townsend is hoping the unusual mathematics surrounding this Friday’s rearranged Guinness Six Nations match between Scotland and France will play right into the hands of fit-again out-half Finn Russell who is back in the No10 jersey having missed last weekend’s win over Italy. 

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Russell suffered a concussion in the March 14 loss to Ireland, unavailability that resulted in Stuart Hogg starting as Scotland out-half versus the Italians. However, Russell is now back in harness and ready for a fixture that has multiple equations surrounding it. 

A win for France with a four-try bonus point and a 21-point margin of victory would see them crowned Six Nations champions for the first time since 2010. Alternatively, a first win away to French since 1999 could elevate Scotland into a best-ever Six Nations second-place finish if they defeat the hosts with a bonus point.

Video Spacer

Scotland’s Finn Russell on the prospect of finishing second in this year’s Six Nations

Video Spacer

Scotland’s Finn Russell on the prospect of finishing second in this year’s Six Nations

It’s a scene set for some high-scoring entertainment and Russell, the playmaker who has been based in recent years in Paris with Racing 92, will look to wield a decisive influence. “It’s an important game for Finn given that he plays in France,” said Townsend after naming a Scotland XV in which Russell is one of four changes. “I’m sure this is a game he looks forward to more than any other of the year.

“He didn’t play in our last game and went off injured in the game against Ireland previous to that. I’m sure he is just itching to get back out there, play for Scotland and lead this team in attack, be really connected with those around him. There will be opportunities that present themselves for a player like Finn as he scans the defence and sees what is on offer and as long as we are connected around him we should be able to take them.

“We feel that we are capable of going there and getting a result and we need more than just a win, we need to win by a few points to get to third and potentially get to second. We have shown that we can play very well away from home and if we do deliver an 80-minute performance we will be more than just competitive. 

“We have played France a couple of times in the last twelve months, both have been both close games. We didn’t fire many shots in our game against them in November but it was right down to the last minute of that game and then a year ago we played some really good rugby against them. I would hope they know we would be a tough opponent for them.”

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Scotland enter the match on the back of some much-improved away form, defeating England and Wales recently on their travels and they will now look to bridge a 22-year gap back to their last away win over France. “I hope so. We hadn’t won in London for 38 years, we hadn’t won in Wales for 18 years so there is another number in there, another record that we would like to take away.

“Our players can take a lot of confidence in those two performances at Llanelli and Twickenham and the fact this is an opportunity more than any other as there are no crowds in the stadia. We felt that in our two home games and when we played away from home this season.

“If we are able to replicate that performance (against England) we will certainly be in with a shout of winning the game because it is the best I have seen us play over the last few years and we matched England that day upfront. It will be very relevant to our chance of success this weekend against the French pack, whether that is set-piece or just in terms of the collisions around their carry. We are looking forward to the challenge because France could go out and open up their game. 

“They have played some really good attacking play but it is based on a long kicking game and a solid defence. If they start moving the ball from anywhere it will be a great game to watch but our defence should be as concerned as it would be excited about the chance of getting the ball back.”

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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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