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The exceptional individual performance of Racing 92 playmaker Finn Russell in Thomond Park this evening has left digital jaws on the metaphorical floor.
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Racing drew 21 – 21 with their hosts, but it was arguably the virtuoso turn of their star ten that was stood out in yet another European thriller in Limerick.
After a disappointing Rugby World Cup, the mercurial Scot appeared eager to make-up for any lost reputation with his Parisian colleagues.
The 27-year-old took just eighteen minutes to silence the Thomond Park faithful with an early contender for the try of the season. A perfectly weighted grubber that nutmegged a rapidly approaching Munster defender was regathered and he strolled over to the left of the posts.
FINN RUSSELL BEHAVE YOURSELF ?
The cheekiest of grubber kicks, and a NUTMEG too?!
A moment of pure brilliance, what a try! ?#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/hYJuAm2AOX
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 23, 2019
It didn’t end there either. A stunning break seven minutes into the second half cut Munster in half and a perfectly timed pass put Argentine flyer Juan Imhoff in under the posts.
Racing 92 are on fire ?
Another superb try, and it's that man Finn Russell at the heart of it!
Magical stuff ???#HeinekenChampionsCup pic.twitter.com/BJSDVeE1xK
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 23, 2019
Jaws were being picked up off the floor on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/RozzaHughes/status/1198303096750907397
https://twitter.com/alistokesmedia/status/1198298572053237765
https://twitter.com/talkMacca/status/1198311159142715394
https://twitter.com/ApocryphalLogic/status/1198311113030602752
https://twitter.com/Yxllop/status/1198311759096033286
https://twitter.com/Rickyphillips0/status/1198311646374088705
https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/1198311049457545216
Finn Russell with the nutmeg.#Jouez
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) November 23, 2019
It’s been a rollercoaster year for the Glasgowegian pivot. He was named Man of the Match in the memorable 38-38 draw against England in the Six Nations earlier this year, a contest in which Scotland rallied from a 31-point deficit.
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The Rugby World Cup in Japan did not go to plan however. The Bridge of Allan born flyhalf started in Scotland’s opening round defeat against Ireland at RWC 2019, as well as in their second match against Samoa. He did not feature in the match-day 23 against Russia but did start in their final pool game loss against Japan.
He played in four of Scotland’s five matches at RWC 2015, starting at fly-half in all four, but did not feature in the pool match against South Africa.
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