Scotland 6N lookahead

First topic message reminder :

Results in aggregate this year for the national team were:

5 February 2022 - Scotland 20–17 England
12 February 2022 - Wales 20–17 Scotland
26 February 2022 - Scotland 17–36 France
12 March 2022 - Italy 22–33 Scotland
19 March 2022 - Ireland 26–5 Scotland
2 July 2022 - Argentina 26–18 Scotland
9 July 2022 - Argentina 6–29 Scotland
16 July 2022 - Argentina 34–31 Scotland
29 October 2022 - Scotland 15–16 Australia
5 November 2022 - Scotland 28–12 Fiji
13 November 2022 - Scotland 23–31 New Zealand
19 November 2022 - Scotland 52–29 Argentina

P 12 W 5 L 7

No 7&1/2 wrote:If it's Russell not agreeing with the gameplan surely he just needs to have his say and then keep schtum if the coaches disagree? Surely can't be that though and he went on a tour with Gatland and clearly they didn't agree.

That’s the problem and where this all seems to stem from

Remember the Scotland England draw at twickers? Well Scotland were four tries down at half time then came out and threw all caution to the wind and came back in the second half.

Finn is on record as saying the game plan from the coaches wasn’t working so he decided to ditch it and said to the boys he’s going to fling it about like a pack of Percy pigs at a children’s party. Madness was then witnessed for the next 40 mins. He completely undermined the whole coaching team and he’s been on the naughty step ever since

I think it's a bit of both sides tbh.

When Toonie started he put a lot on Finn to create for the team. The whole attacking gameplan seemed to centre around Finn, which was a mistake in my opinion.

He's switched course recently that has possibly caused Finn to have his diva moments and apparent lack of interest. Much like that Hogg dropped ball over the try line with two players in support because "he had that try" except on a bigger scale. So much as I criticise Toonie I can understand why he's put Finn on the naughty step, however I'd argue the situation is of his own creation.

Toonie's gameplan seems to depend on individuals. We need to go back to good interlinking play and basic skills. Our offloading game has regressed under Toonie. I think that was one of our strongest assets and should be brought back.

TJ wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:If it's Russell not agreeing with the gameplan surely he just needs to have his say and then keep schtum if the coaches disagree? Surely can't be that though and he went on a tour with Gatland and clearly they didn't agree.

I think the issue is everyone knows Finn is right?  Remember the mad 38 all Calcutta cup?  Finn threw away the playbook at half time.  I don't think toonie ever forgave him

I think in the last 6N we could see in Finns actions and body language that he did not buy into what he was being told to do hence the apparent disinterest.  He knew it was the wrong gameplan and also knew if he didn't follow it he was out.  A very difficult place to be

Edit - I think with the lions it was rather different.  Finn knew he was there as back up / plan B / hail mary option and accepted that.

I do remember. He was as god in the 2nd half as he was poor in the first! I think it's stretching it a bit to say it wasn't Townsend decision to roll the dice at half time too. I see he's back in the squad now though.

tigertattie wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:If it's Russell not agreeing with the gameplan surely he just needs to have his say and then keep schtum if the coaches disagree? Surely can't be that though and he went on a tour with Gatland and clearly they didn't agree.

That’s the problem and where this all seems to stem from

Remember the Scotland England draw at twickers? Well Scotland were four tries down at half time then came out and threw all caution to the wind and came back in the second half.

Finn is on record as saying the game plan from the coaches wasn’t working so he decided to ditch it and said to the boys he’s going to fling it about like a pack of Percy pigs at a children’s party. Madness was then witnessed for the next 40 mins. He completely undermined the whole coaching team and he’s been on the naughty step ever since

Just replied to a similar comment. I can't imagine a coaching team getting to half time and saying same again.

I think it's stretching it a bit to say it wasn't Townsend decision to roll the dice at half time too.

Its not at all.  Its well known that Finn did that off his own back - perhaps with support from others in the team.  Finn said to Toonie at half time the tactics were not working and was told to carry on the same way. finn said so publicly and Toonie refused to comment on it. that makes it pretty easy to draw conclusions

TJ wrote:

I think it's stretching it a bit to say it wasn't Townsend decision to roll the dice at half time too.

Its not at all.  Its well known that Finn did that off his own back - perhaps with support from others in the team.  Finn said to Toonie at half time the tactics were not working and was told to carry on the same way.  finn said so publicly and Toonie refused to comment on it.  that makes it pretty easy to draw conclusions

Well if that is the case, don't blame Townsend for dropping him (along with breaching protocols etc).

@7.5

So... back the coach to oblivion?

I get strong "The patient died but nevertheless the operation was successful" vibes from this.

Well I find how people approach man management interesting as there's always a fair bit of guess work as to what truly goes on. But if you have a structure with someone at the top people underneath need to respect decisions and go with him. There's caveats to that of course, I suspect the best leaders are those who accept and welcome being challenged but at the end of the day it's their decision as to how to approach games. If it's true that Russell went against plan even if it worked to an extent that's not really being a team players, add to that ignoring team rules etc. I don't believe that ruling with an iron fist is the right way to go with the majority of players/people but you can't let team discipline vanish due to a small group of players can you?

Neither can you persist in doing whats wrong when its proven you are wrong. Nor do you shoot the messenger. Again its poor man management from townsend

Perhaps he should give Russell more leeway or insist the squad lower their expectations of their teammates behaviour. May work to keep Russell onside.

Whats your thoughts on him being back then TJ, expecting him straight in or a bench option?

Whats your thoughts on him being back then TJ, expecting him straight in or a bench option?

Its Toonie. Predictions are hard. My guess would be bench, come on with 15 to play in a well beaten team, he will try too hard and make some errors and that will be used as an excuse to drop him again

Glad sense has prevailed, in reality Townsend had no option - calling up anybody else would have been a nonsense.

I'm not getting too carried away, Finn Russell isn't going to save us unless the team improves markedly - in almost all facets of the game.

It will be very interesting to see where Townsend goes with this, he has got himself into such a muddle at 10. I can't work out if he will punt for Russell or give Kinghorn more time, after dropping him last week.

It feels weird to say that we have played poorly and should have beaten a pretty good Aussie team sans several starters and ended up comfortably beating Fiji. If we could get some form and cut our penalty count to single digits, we might be dangerous.

In a way, it would be better to start Russell as either he has a stormer and we beat NZ (and that will be the story) or he struggles and Kinghorn can come on without as much pressure after the mishap against Australia. If he starts Kinghorn and he struggles then Russell comes on and gets a consolation try or two, the noise would be deafening and somewhat unfairly land on Kinghorn.

TJ wrote:

Whats your thoughts on him being back then TJ, expecting him straight in or a bench option?

Its Toonie.  Predictions are hard.  My guess would be bench, come on with 15 to play in a well beaten team, he will try too hard and make some errors and that will be used as an excuse to drop him again

Dare I say he needs to rein it in then and play to the plan?

Imagine we’re 20 points down and BK has been at 10. With 30 mins to go, someone has to come off, either BK himself or he’s moved to wing or FB.

On trots Russell.

Russell then masterminds a 2nd half miracle to not only win the game, but win over the blackness for the first time in history.

What happens? Does he or the media say enough is enough with Toonie? Toonie gets sent packing and Russell becomes our 10 and attack coach going forward?

The SRU then asks Andy Robinson to come back but only as a forwards coach/selector and Finn does the backs???

Highly unlikely all round. But possible

It's a lose-lose for Toonie.
Starts Blairhorn and he has a mare, or worse is half-way decent, and we lose. Toonie is a muppet for freezing out Dancer.
Starts Blairhorn and we're losing, Dancer comes on and rips up the script, we beat the Blackness, Toonie is excoriated for not starting Dancer.
Starts Dancer and he puts in the kind of masterclass that Dan Parks gave at the Millenium in that match the Blackness, sadly, have no Shane Williams to singlehandedly win the match. Dancer becomes insufferably full of himself and demands Toonie's head alongside his full Scottish next morning. One of them has to go. Dodson goes full Truss and sacks his protege.
Blairhorn starts and plays a blinder! Result is irrelevant. Dancer feccs off in a huff. By the 6 Nations Blairhorn has sunk to his natural level of stand off mediocrity. Dancer refuses to take Toonie's calls.

p.s. I am slightly more concerned about Hoggy after his expletive riddled rant about his hair and teeth. In short he has screamed don't comment on my man bun or Rylan teeth as you'll upset my mental health.
Bigson looked at Hoggy's brother in the beer tent at Sandy Park and said, " I never would have guessed that Stuart's brother would be the lead singer in a Take That tribute act.". Now it appears Hoggy wants to be Jason Orange.
We've all played in rugby teams. Can you imagine the reaction we would get if we made a statement like Hoggy's?
If he isn't getting the mickey taken out of him right royally then there is something amiss with the spirit in that camp.

Hogg does seem to be in full midlife crisis. Still a great player tho

No arguments there TJ. But, is he playing like a great player at the moment?

I thought he had a decent game

Probably a decent argument for starting Russell at FH and Kinghorn at FB in this one. Might allow a bit more crestivity with the back subs or a 6/2 bench split.

Hoggy struggling to be picked on form atm

Trouble is, if he does not pick Hogg, then that becomes the story, instead of Russell.

In many ways, Toonie just can't win!

I'm fairly confidential Kinghorn will start. He's not going to bring Finn straight in.

Chances are we'll be getting humped but the time Finn comes on and he'll go full Finnsanity and run in a few tries, making people question why he didn't start.

Lose lose for everyone really!

I do feel for Kinghorn - what must he be thinking through all this. He's a very relaxed character but he can't exactly be going into these games with much confidence knowing most of the stadium doesn't want him there.

BigGee wrote:Probably a decent argument for starting Russell at FH and Kinghorn at FB in this one. Might allow a bit more crestivity with the back subs or a 6/2 bench split.

Hoggy struggling to be picked on form atm



In many ways, Toonie just can't win!

Which is not the ideal reference for an international coach.

RDW wrote:I'm fairly confidential Kinghorn will start. He's not going to bring Finn straight in.

Chances are we'll be getting humped but the time Finn comes on and he'll go full Finnsanity and run in a few tries, making people question why he didn't start.

Or he will make a couple of errors and Toonie will use that as the excuse to drop him

As Finn has not been in camp bench would be the sensible option

I agree with you on Kinghorn. He hs been put in a nasty place thru no fault of his own

I still say he is better than Hastings. I just do not get what folk see in Hastings. He did nowt in the Fiji match - 11 touches of the ball IIRC and one total mince kick from hand and one pass into touch. He =created no space for anyone outside him

Toonie looks a proper plonker now. With Hastings out it's totally obvious even to an Ayr hating, Weegie bashing through and through Edinburgh fan, such as myself, that Finn Russell is the best fly half in the squad. But Toonie cannot possibly start him and, as RDW the Oracle of Mick Dundee right predicts, Toonie will be forced to call on Russell to save the day when the game is almost lost (and if he doesn't, he'll look like an even bigger idiot than he already does).

Personally, my preference would be for Toonie to join Matt Hancock in the jungle. We can restore Australia to its former glory by sending all our ne'er do wells out there (plus RDW obviously, who is building important stuff for them).

I can’t help but wonder what Ryan Wilson would say to hogg if they faced each other in a club match this season.

Such banter

tigertattie wrote:I can’t help but wonder what Ryan Wilson would say to hogg if they faced each other in a club match this season.

Such banter

"My man bun is better than your man bun"

"My tats are cooler than your tats"

"My last decent game for Scotland was more recent than your last decent game for Scotland"

"OK, Glasgow is rubbish"

Just some ideas....

tigertattie wrote:I can’t help but wonder what Ryan Wilson would say to hogg if they faced each other in a club match this season.

Such banter

"bite me"

It's all so familiarly depressing. We constant seem to be able to shoot ourselves in the foot whether it's through player selection, game plan or poor judgement on the pitch. I don't think that all our ills are Toonies fault but I do think that he's struggled to create an effective game plan for the team and failed to manage the talent. I see what Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown have achieved with the Highlanders and now Japan and I can't help thinking that we'd be getting much better result if we had them in charge rather than Toonie.

When, as I suspect we do, crash out of the group stages at the RWC I think we will be left mourning opportunities lost and a golden generation who will have delivered about same as England's much vaunted "Golden Generation" of footballers.

Glad common sense has prevailed! I hope Toonie is a pragmatic man and simply selects the side for Sunday based on what he feels is the best team to beat the AB’s.

Part of me wants to believe this was his intention from the beginning, part of a plan to get Russell into his best form for NZ. The only evidence that may be true is if he starts Russell on Sunday with kinghorn on the bench.

Beat the AB’s on Sunday and all will be forgiven. I don’t see a lose lose scenario to be honest. Looking ahead I would just hope that Russell is called up for the 6N immediately rather than halfway through the campaign and that we can put the Russell Toonie gossip to bed.

tigertattie wrote:I can’t help but wonder what Ryan Wilson would say to hogg if they faced each other in a club match this season.

Such banter

Are you still in favour of trickle down economics, then? When will we see another novelist of Hilary Mantell's humanity and lyrical sentences ? Fancy a kebab later?

jimbopip wrote:

tigertattie wrote:I can’t help but wonder what Ryan Wilson would say to hogg if they faced each other in a club match this season.

Such banter

Are you still in favour of trickle down economics, then? When will we see another novelist of Hilary Mantell's humanity and lyrical sentences ? Fancy a kebab later?

I’m pretty confident that only the kebab comment would be uttered from the mouth of Mr Wilson. That and “let’s meet them off the bus”

I see the Finn recall even made the sporting headlines on the evening news. Is it a case of any publicity is good publicity?

bsando wrote:Glad common sense has prevailed! I hope Toonie is a pragmatic man and simply selects the side for Sunday based on what he feels is the best team to beat the AB’s. Yes, he will pick the team he thinks best suited to the task. Unfortunately,

Part of me wants to believe this was his intention from the beginning, part of a plan to get Russell into his best form for NZ. The only evidence that may be true is if he starts Russell on Sunday with kinghorn on the bench. Agreed, his get out of jail card would be, "I asked him to oncentrate on his form and he's been playing out of his skin. See me? See Jack Horner?"

Beat the AB’s on Sunday and all will be forgiven. I don’t see a lose lose scenario to be honest. Looking ahead I would just hope that Russell is called up for the 6N immediately rather than halfway through the campaign and that we can put the Russell Toonie gossip to bed. Actually, like the present shower of amoral chancers in Downing Street, I think Toonie's bubble has burst. In football parlance he has lost the dressing room. We're the dressing room and he lost us. There is no winning us back. We want that nice Kirsty Allsop to bring in a shiny, hopeful cash buyer who will extend us, knock through to the open plan dining/cooking/socialising space and show us the orangery where we will keep the World Cup.

tigertattie...quote function that ya bam.

No thanks

We’re going to lose on sat, it doesn’t matter who plays 10.  

As has been said,
- If he plays Kinghorn and we lose, then Kinghorn will get stick and so will Toonie for selecting him
- If we play Russell and we lose, then folk will still have a go at Toonie for not selecting him earlier
- If we play Kinghorn and somehow fluke a win, then folk will claim Russell would have won it by more and Toonie is to blame for not selecting him
- If we play Russell and somehow fluke a win, then folk will claim Russell should have started the tournament and blame Toonie.

Etc Etc Etc

In summary, folk will blame Toonie for not selecting Russell regardless of what happens.

If Russell has not been a team player in the past (either on or off the pitch) then I have no issue with Toonie not selecting him.  It’s all very well people talking about man management etc, but an international coach has a very finite window to get these players used to playing with each other and up to speed with a gameplan. If he also has to treat one player with kid gloves and let him break protocols etc then it’s likely going to be a distraction or cause disharmony amongst the reast of the team.

If he just doesn’t rate Finn, then it would be odd, but I guess each to their own, I’ve not been watching Finn week in week out so can’t comment on if he’s actually been any good. Considering he doesn’t seem to be getting a new contract with Racing, then I’m not sure they rate him as highly as some of their coaches have been making out in the media.

To add balance, we’ve been utterly gash for a while now (both with and without Finn) we rely far too heavily on moments of brilliance from individuals, which better teams don’t.  They play to a gameplan designed to engineer opportunities, whilst we seem to start down that path then about 3 phases in seem to go “f**k it!  Let’s just chuck it to Hoggy/Finn/Darcy/Duhan and hope they can pull a rabbit out of a hat”, which I suspect is in part related to how Toonie was as a player.

I can’t see anything changing pre world cup and we’re going to get humped in the group stages by the current world champions, the no.1 rated team in the world and quite possibly a revitalised Tonga with Israel Folau, Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa in their team, so for me the next 12 months are effectively a write off.  Post WC I think we’ll see a number of coaches moving on (Toonie being one of them) and we can start the journey all over again.  It almost certainly won’t be with Cotter though.  I know there is an appetite for him to take over from Toonie, but it just won’t be him coming back.  As an Edinburgh fan, I fear it could be Blair, but I really hope it’s not as I don’t think he’s ready, and I want to keep him at Edinburgh.

Bit of a rant.

EWT Spoons wrote:We’re going to lose on sat, it doesn’t matter who plays 10.  

As has been said,
- If he plays Kinghorn and we lose, then Kinghorn will get stick and so will Toonie for selecting him
- If we play Russell and we lose, then folk will still have a go at Toonie for not selecting him earlier
- If we play Kinghorn and somehow fluke a win, then folk will claim Russell would have won it by more and Toonie is to blame for not selecting him
- If we play Russell and somehow fluke a win, then folk will claim Russell should have started the tournament and blame Toonie.

Etc Etc Etc

In summary, folk will blame Toonie for not selecting Russell regardless of what happens.

If Russell has not been a team player in the past (either on or off the pitch) then I have no issue with Toonie not selecting him.  It’s all very well people talking about man management etc, but an international coach has a very finite window to get these players used to playing with each other and up to speed with a gameplan.  If he also has to treat one player with kid gloves and let him break protocols etc then it’s likely going to be a distraction or cause disharmony amongst the reast of the team.

If he just doesn’t rate Finn, then it would be odd, but I guess each to their own, I’ve not been watching Finn week in week out so can’t comment on if he’s actually been any good.  Considering he doesn’t seem to be getting a new contract with Racing, then I’m not sure they rate him as highly as some of their coaches have been making out in the media.

To add balance, we’ve been utterly gash for a while now (both with and without Finn) we rely far too heavily on moments of brilliance from individuals, which better teams don’t.  They play to a gameplan designed to engineer opportunities, whilst we seem to start down that path then about 3 phases in seem to go “f**k it!  Let’s just chuck it to Hoggy/Finn/Darcy/Duhan and hope they can pull a rabbit out of a hat”, which I suspect is in part related to how Toonie was as a player.

I can’t see anything changing pre world cup and we’re going to get humped in the group stages by the current world champions, the no.1 rated team in the world and quite possibly a revitalised Tonga with Israel Folau, Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa in their team, so for me the next 12 months are effectively a write off.  Post WC I think we’ll see a number of coaches moving on (Toonie being one of them) and we can start the journey all over again.  It almost certainly won’t be with Cotter though.  I know there is an appetite for him to take over from Toonie, but it just won’t be him coming back.  As an Edinburgh fan, I fear it could be Blair, but I really hope it’s not as I don’t think he’s ready, and I want to keep him at Edinburgh.

Bit of a rant.

Surely the SRU won't make the same mistake twice. To be fair hopefully mike isn't threatening to leave Scotland unless he gets the top job.

Well the daily mail managed to pick up the interview that all the rugby journos would have liked to get with Finn Russell as he comes back into the Scotland squad.

He gives a few snippets away but probably quite wisely decides that on this occasion, discretion is the best part of valour.

He does manage to get a plug in for his magic mushroom business though!



FINN RUSSELL has revealed he hadn’t spoken to Gregor Townsend since the Six Nations prior to his dramatic return to the Scotland head coach’s squad for Sunday’s showdown with New Zealand.

The fly-half was surprisingly left out of Townsend’s autumn party last month despite his impressive performances for French side Racing 92 in the TOP14.

Townsend claimed at the time Russell’s omission was on form grounds, but the pair have had a strained relationship dating back to the 2020 Six Nations.

Now they are back working together again after Russell received a late summons to Edinburgh for the All Blacks clash this weekend following an injury to fellow Scotland playmaker Adam Hastings.

‘I hadn’t heard from Gregor since before the summer so I wasn’t too surprised,’ Russell, a Puresport ambassador, told Sportsmail of his initial non-selection for Scotland’s autumn fixtures.

‘It is what it is. It’s rugby, I suppose. I’ll see how it goes this weekend against the All Blacks. If I’m in the (match-day) squad or not I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see.

‘I haven’t been in the squad for a while so I’m not sure what the vibe is.’

Should Finn Russell start against the All Blacks? Vote in Sportsmail's poll

Asked to describe his working relationship with Townsend, Russell responded: ‘We’ve hardly spoken since the Six Nations and that’s just how it is. We’ve not spoken much at all.

‘We’re alright, I suppose. He’ll have had his reasons so I’m not looking into it too much. There is no point me worrying about anything like that. I can’t control what happens with Scotland.

‘There is not much I can do about the Scotland squad or who Gregor picks. That’s not my job. My job is to keep playing well in France. I’m happy doing it so I’ve kept that going.

‘I’m not a coach and I’m not the one picking the team thankfully. I’ll get back into camp and worry about that then.’

Russell flew from Paris to Scotland on Tuesday after texting Townsend to discuss plans for his team’s attacking approach.

‘I text him (Townsend) a few times just chatting about the attack system, shape, and a couple things around that. Nothing too much. I’ll wait and see how it is when I get in,’ Russell said.


Under the spotlight: Townsend had questioned Russell's 'form and consistency'
‘It was me needing clarity on a few things from the last year and a half. I had a few questions and got some good clarity back. I gave my thoughts and we had a couple of texts back and forth to discuss a few things so we were all clear on the attacking side before I go back in.

‘I’m pretty chilled, to be honest. I haven’t been in since the Six Nations so I don’t know how the environment is going to be and how it’s all going.

‘It will be easy enough to get up to speed on the rugby side. I’ve been playing long enough.’

Russell was one of six players disciplined by Townsend after he went on a night out following the Six Nations win over Italy earlier this year. He was dropped to the bench for Scotland’s next game against Ireland which was his last in a blue jersey.

Russell also walked out on the Scotland squad prior to the 2020 Six Nations.


Uneasy truce: Russell and Townsend have not always seen eye to eye
‘I haven’t really thought about it too much,’ Russell said of the post-Italy night out. ‘I went straight back to the club after that and, after the Ireland game, I was back at the club.

‘I forgot about it all and I thought it was blown out of proportion a little bit. I’m not too stressed about it when I look back on it.’

Calls for Russell to come straight in from the cold and start against the All Blacks are growing. But his return to the Scotland squad could yet be complicated by the fact his partner Emma Canning is imminently expecting the couple’s first child.

‘My girlfriend is pregnant and is due to give birth at any time. Her due date is November 23, so in two weeks, but the midwife said it could be two weeks or two days,’ Russell said.

‘We just don’t know. It will be good to get back into camp but, at the same time, it would be nice to be with her. I was happy either way.’

Russell’s arrival with Scotland was delayed until Tuesday as he made sure his partner had the necessary support around her in the French capital. He also has plans in place to make a quick return to Paris if his first child is on the way. The couple are unsure of the baby’s sex.

It complicates Russell’s potential selection for the All Blacks. But what is not in doubt is the 30-year-old’s ability. Russell remains by some distance Scotland’s best available No 10. His performances for Racing have made a mockery of Townsend’s initial decision to leave him out of international duty this autumn.

As one of rugby’s most talented players, Russell is someone supporters pay to watch. His passing game and out-of-the-box thinking is unique, certainly in a Scotland context.

It was enough to earn Russell a Lions Test bow in South Africa in 2021. He is also valued highly by ambitious Racing, who have Champions Cup glory as their big target.

Russell — who moved from Glasgow to Paris in 2018 — said: ‘I think there should be more made of the individuals. A lot of nations have put the names on the back of the tops.

‘I think that’s good and promotes the players a little bit more individually. If you look at football, people come to watch the players because of who they are and what they do on the field.


Flying in France: Russell has been in great form for Racing 92
‘If we can do that in rugby hopefully it can grow the sport. It can get kids into the game if they know the players because they want to be like them. That’s part of the reason why football is so successful. Look at (Lionel) Messi going to PSG and the amount of revenue he brought in for them just by going there as an individual player. I’m not sure rugby is going to get to that size.

‘But if it could do it a little bit, it could make a big impact. From the players’ point of view, coaches have to be able to manage individuals rather than expecting everyone to be under the same umbrella and saying it’s their way or no way.

‘They’ve got to be able to adapt to individuals to get the best out of their players and then the best out of the team. It’s good for rugby to have the best players playing all the time.’

It certainly is. Scotland are undoubtedly worse off without Russell. Both he and Townsend must find a way to ensure the pair have a working relationship which enables the team to benefit.

Gloucester’s Hastings and Blair Kinghorn of Edinburgh are fine players, but neither possess Russell’s ability to keep an opposition defence guessing.

Whether or not he gets the chance to try and trouble the All Blacks remains to be seen. It all depends on whether he and Townsend can bury the hatchet and quickly.

‘It’s been hard to watch Scotland because I’m usually playing,’ Russell said.

‘Last weekend, I wasn’t able to watch because I was down in Brive and I saw 30 minutes of the Fiji game because I had Perpignan at home. In the summer, I was on holiday. To be honest, in the last five games I’ve not played, I haven’t watched much because of other commitments.

‘Fiji played really well against Scotland and left a couple of tries out there. Every Test is tough but it’s always good to play against one of the best teams in the world.

‘I’ll try my best to beat New Zealand at the weekend.’

Should Russell get the nod to face the All Blacks on Sunday, he’ll be aided by using Puresport’s medicinal mushroom capsule supplement range to improve his recovery. Having previously invested in the business himself, he has taken the proactive step to use the mushroom supplement as the sport battles with how best to protect its players from the impact of head injuries and concussions.

‘The concern around brain injuries among rugby players is impossible to ignore,’ said the British & Irish Lions playmaker. ‘We have a duty to ourselves and our families to ensure we’re doing everything we possibly can to protect ourselves both during and after our careers are over.

‘I still have many years left on the pitch, but I’m a big believer in taking any steps necessary to ensure my brain and body are in the best shape possible once I hang up my boots, especially now I have a kid on the way.

‘Medicinal mushroom supplements are a new category, but the results are noticeable. I feel sharper, faster, and healthier. I don’t know what impact my rugby career will have had on my body when I retire, but I want to do everything I can to ensure I have a long and healthy retirement.


Ready for the best: Russell will look to make an impact against the All Blacks
‘These supplements are a big part of that. As players, we spend time in the gym working on our muscles, so why not do the same for the brain?’

Russell admitted to fatigue after the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa. But he is now back firing on all cylinders after a summer off where he did not feature for Scotland. Racing 92 have seen the benefits.

The Scot is in talks with the Paris-based giants over a new contract as former England head coach Stuart Lancaster prepares to step in as Racing’s new boss for next season.

Russell has previously been linked with a big-money move to Japan.

‘We’re in negotiations,’ Russell said of his club future. ‘Stuart is coming in next year so it will be a slightly different club, but it’s a good club and I love being here.

‘We’re in the process of chatting around the next contract. I’m feeling good. Mentally it was good to have some time off over the summer. My body is pretty much always fine, it’s more the mental side I sometimes struggle with in terms of having to do all the work off the field and play every week.

‘This season, I feel much better, much fresher, and more back to myself whereas last year I struggled a bit with fatigue and having to play a lot of rugby.

‘I feel I’m back to where I can be now which is good. Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks so it’s all to play for. They’ll be confident and it will be a tough game but a good one to play in.’

Finally a bit more insight. Well that pretty much confirms that Toonie prefers not to have Russell around and is, for better or worse, really looking at Kinghorn as his main man. What a strange turn of events. Not even a phone call before the Summer seems really strange to me. One can only hope Russell gets a chance to show he is still the man to orchestrate Scotland's backline and we can head into the 6N feeling that Townsend is back on board with having Russell involved.

I have to say Russell comes across as a model professional in that interview, not looking at things in an overly emotional way. That is what players have to do these days, it's not just about playing for Scotland at all costs. He seems to be really trying to make the most of his talent and look after his body for future life at the same time. Gone are the days of battering ones self to oblivion regardless of the consequences.

Goes with what his coaches at Racing say

I’m not sold

Bsando says “model professional” I think Russell comes across as simply not caring if he plays for Scotland or not

There is no “I’ve listened to feedback” or “I’ve knuckled down on areas I need to improve on” or “I’ve reflected on the past and learned from it”

Yes Toonie has to man manage the squad, but players need to act professionally too. Russell just seems to not care. He just goes out there and does what he does. If it works, happy days, if it doesn’t, oh well (shrugs shoulders)

He’s like a player from the 70s

From an outside, very cynical, viewpoint it come across as positioning himself for another club contract, with the possibility of not being away on international duty (without actually saying that). As I say, very cynical, but given the wear & tear and limited earning period of a professional rugby player I wouldn't blame him. I was a lousy man manager, but I don't think I ever pissed off my potentially best team member without some explanation as to why I thought they were a plonker.

I think russell will start providing his baby doesn’t make an unscheduled appearance earlier than anticipated. This way GT can say 3 tests, 3 starts for 3 10s. Finn is first choice for the world cup, in a group with ireland and SA where a 6/2 bench is mandatory for both games. This means kinghorn or hastings covering the back line and i think the recent experience BK has been given is to test out what happens if finn gets crocked early in a game. I expect ben white to start with finn, redpath, harris and the obvious back 3. Should be interesting to see a leaner looking russell show us if he means business or not.

EWT Spoons wrote:We’re going to lose on sat, it doesn’t matter who plays 10.  

As has been said,
- If he plays Kinghorn and we lose, then Kinghorn will get stick and so will Toonie for selecting him
- If we play Russell and we lose, then folk will still have a go at Toonie for not selecting him earlier
- If we play Kinghorn and somehow fluke a win, then folk will claim Russell would have won it by more and Toonie is to blame for not selecting him
- If we play Russell and somehow fluke a win, then folk will claim Russell should have started the tournament and blame Toonie.

Etc Etc Etc

In summary, folk will blame Toonie for not selecting Russell regardless of what happens.

If Russell has not been a team player in the past (either on or off the pitch) then I have no issue with Toonie not selecting him.  It’s all very well people talking about man management etc, but an international coach has a very finite window to get these players used to playing with each other and up to speed with a gameplan.  If he also has to treat one player with kid gloves and let him break protocols etc then it’s likely going to be a distraction or cause disharmony amongst the reast of the team.

If he just doesn’t rate Finn, then it would be odd, but I guess each to their own, I’ve not been watching Finn week in week out so can’t comment on if he’s actually been any good.  Considering he doesn’t seem to be getting a new contract with Racing, then I’m not sure they rate him as highly as some of their coaches have been making out in the media.

To add balance, we’ve been utterly gash for a while now (both with and without Finn) we rely far too heavily on moments of brilliance from individuals, which better teams don’t.  They play to a gameplan designed to engineer opportunities, whilst we seem to start down that path then about 3 phases in seem to go “f**k it!  Let’s just chuck it to Hoggy/Finn/Darcy/Duhan and hope they can pull a rabbit out of a hat”, which I suspect is in part related to how Toonie was as a player.

I can’t see anything changing pre world cup and we’re going to get humped in the group stages by the current world champions, the no.1 rated team in the world and quite possibly a revitalised Tonga with Israel Folau, Charles Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa in their team, so for me the next 12 months are effectively a write off.  Post WC I think we’ll see a number of coaches moving on (Toonie being one of them) and we can start the journey all over again.  It almost certainly won’t be with Cotter though.  I know there is an appetite for him to take over from Toonie, but it just won’t be him coming back.  As an Edinburgh fan, I fear it could be Blair, but I really hope it’s not as I don’t think he’s ready, and I want to keep him at Edinburgh.

Bit of a rant.

Oh FFS Spoons, now I'm really depressed. I mean, you're right but I'm not in the headspace to read all of that without a sedative at the moment.

https://www.allblacks.com/news/mounga-recalls-finn-russells-class-from-lincoln-university-days/

High praise from Mounga! Must be a few years now since that trip to NZ. Are they still doing the Macphail scholarship? I suppose Covid has prevented recent trips.

bsando wrote:https://www.allblacks.com/news/mounga-recalls-finn-russells-class-from-lincoln-university-days/

High praise from Mounga! Must be a few years now since that trip to NZ. Are they still doing the Macphail scholarship? I suppose Covid has prevented recent trips.

They were pre covid. But the last few recipients have gone to South Africa and not NZ. I guess they get a pretty good rugby education down there as well!

It’s a good initiative. SA would be an equally great rugby environment indeed.

Just saw AB Zondagh on the tv giving an interview about Russell. He was singing his praises and using phrases like  “Fitted in seamlessly “ “ knows the dna of the team “ etc.
Think Finn is starting on Sunday

I just wonder if he will start Finn at FH and Blairhorn at FB

To be fair Hoggy has not been playing well and if he wasn't Hoggy, would likely be struggling for his place in any case.

Or maybe Toonie might be wary of rocking the boat any further!

Oh FFS Spoons, now I'm really depressed. I mean, you're right but I'm not in the headspace to read all of that without a sedative at the moment.[/quote]

How very Californian. How very millennial.

GC...do you have a manbun resting atop your headspace?

All hail jimbo and his quote function failings lol

BigGee wrote:I just wonder if he will start Finn at FH and Blairhorn at FB

To be fair Hoggy has not been playing well and if he wasn't Hoggy, would likely be struggling for his place in any case.

Or maybe Toonie might be wary of rocking the boat any further!

Interestingly, if he was the kind of coach who selected on form then both Jason Orange and Hamish would be benching on Sunday. They both look slightly jaded and in need of a rest. Aldi Price is beginning to look like the chap who puts the name cards round the Cabinet table in Downing Street; he runs and runs but he's always just behind events.

Big Ritchie was the pick of the forwards and I thought GG had a very quiet game. Grayx2 in the second row?

1. Shooey
2. Ashman
3. Ragnar
4. Gray
5. Gray
6. Fagerson
7. Mbawza
8. Boxer
9. Price
10 DANCER
11. Duhan
12. Redpath
13 Harris
14 ADHD Kid
15 Smith is on better form than Mr Orange. Blairhorn could do a job. He and Dancer could interchange at 1st receiver. I don't know who I would pick.

16. Chuckles. Better form than Turner. Better at the breakdown than Cherry
17 Sutherland
18 Walker. Didn't come until late against Fiji, chances are he'll come on once th game is lost anyway. So why not?
19. GG
20 Hamish
20 White. Though he may start.
21 Shona
22. Blairhorn has to be in the 23. If he starts, I wouldn't be surprised if the manbun is in Exeter by kick off time.. Smith to bench.