British and Irish Lions star issues stark warning with tourists ‘gunning’ for ‘special’ series whitewash
British and Irish Lions fly-half Finn Russell in action in 2025
British and Irish Lions fly-half Finn Russell has insisted the job isn’t done for his side, as they eye up a slice of rugby history in Sydney.
The tourists already hold an unassailable 2-0 lead over the Wallabies heading into next weekend’s final Test, but a win would ensure a first 3-0 Lions whitewash since 1904.
‘Everyone here has been gunning for it their whole career’
Andy Farrell’s side still remain unbeaten on Australian soil since arriving earlier last month, winning all eight of their games thus far against the Wallabies and various club/invitational sides, but star half-back Russell feels there is still more to be accomplished in their final game at Accor Stadium next Saturday.
“Everyone here has been gunning for it for their whole career,” the Scot said of a possible series whitewash.
“To get to the Lions is one thing, and then to get a series win is another.
“It’s so special to get this, bringing four nations together to be a family for five, six weeks. To get the series win is amazing but the job is still not done yet.
He added: “We need to go and try and finish it off next week. Even though we have got the series, we need to go and finish on a high.”
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The intent from the Lions to claim a historic series whitewash is becoming abundantly clear, with Russell’s comments following a rallying call from tour captain Maro Itoje to ‘go again’ in the third Test.
“When we met for the first time, big Faz made the call that he wanted us to come out here and win, he wanted us to win everything,” said the skipper.
“Don’t get me wrong, we’re absolutely delighted with the result tonight, but we want to go again next week.”
‘I’m loving my rugby right now’
If the Lions are to clinch the historic victory they so crave, Russell will again be needed to play a key role.
The three-time tourist, who has started both 2025 Tests alongside scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, is arguably in career-best form this season, powering Bath to EPCR Challenge Cup and Premiership titles and now starring in a victorious British and Irish Lions side. He is fully living in the present.
“I’m loving my rugby right now,” he said. “Some of the boys might say it’s the most confident I’ve been and it’s my best rugby, which might be true, it might not.”
He added: “I’ve not won much in my career so to have won the titles at Bath and now this, it’s amazing, it’s so special.”
