Russell stand-off continues as Scotland name squad for England clash

Finn Russell won’t make a return to the Scotland squad for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash, after being left out of the 37-man selection for the round two game at Murrayfield.

Russell was sensationally left out of the squad for last Saturday’s 19-12 defeat to Ireland in Dublin following a breach of team discipline.

The fly-half subsequently left the Scotland camp and returned to his club, Racing 92.

World Rugby introduced the five second law at the base of the ruck to counteract the rucking conga, yet the problem still exists.https://t.co/TIxuUiCZKj

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 3, 2020

The 27-year-old is reported to have spent the Sunday before Scotland’s Six Nations opener drinking in the team hotel, failing to stop when approached by team-mates and members of the Scotland backroom staff.

He is then believed to have declined an offer to stay with the squad after being informed he would be dropped for the Ireland game.

While Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend had left the door open for Russell to return, any potential comeback will have to wait, with Russell once again left out of the squad for this weekend’s game.

SQUAD UPDATE | 37-man Scotland squad confirmed for this Saturday's Guinness Six Nations round two Test against England at BT Murrayfield Stadium #AsOnehttps://t.co/4sF4ckyKWf

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 3, 2020

Worcester Warriors Duncan Weir remains in the squad having joined last week in place of Russell, while Darcy Graham is not available having picked up a knee injury.

Adam Hastings started in Russell’s place last weekend, and is listed as one of two out-half options, alongside Weir, for the Calcutta Cup game.

SCOTLAND SQUAD:

FORWARDS (21)
Simon Berghan (Edinburgh)
Jamie Bhatti (Edinburgh)
Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh)
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors)
Alex Craig (Gloucester)
Luke Crosbie (Edinburgh)
Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors)
Allan Dell (London Irish)
Cornell du Preez (Worcester Warriors)
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh)
Tom Gordon (Glasgow Warriors)
Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors)
Nick Haining (Edinburgh)
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh)
Willem Nel (Edinburgh)
Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh)
Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh)
Ben Toolis (Edinburgh)
George Turner (Glasgow Warriors)
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh)

BACKS (16)
Chris Harris (Gloucester)
Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors)
Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) CAPTAIN
George Horne (Glasgow Warriors)
Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints)
Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors)
Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors)
Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh)
Sean Maitland (Saracens)
Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks)
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors)
Henry Pyrgos (Edinburgh)
Matt Scott (Edinburgh)
Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors)
Ratu Tagive (Glasgow Warriors)
Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors)

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