Finn Russell backs Owen Farrell to be a ‘great fit’ for Racing 92

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell believes that Owen Farrell will be a great fit for his former club Racing 92.

Farrell will follow in the footsteps of his 2021 British and Irish Lions teammate as he links up with the Top 14 club ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Russell spent five years with Racing 92 before joining Bath after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Better for Owen

Farrell’s move to Paris on a two-season contract brings an end to his trophy-laden time at Saracens, his only professional club, and will see him reunited with Stuart Lancaster, Racing’s head coach who gave Farrell his England debut in 2012.

“I loved my time in Paris,” Russell told the PA news agency at the premiere of Netflix’s Six Nations: Full Contact documentary series.

“It’s really close to London so it will be easy for him to go backwards and forwards to his family.

“I don’t know what it’s like under Stuart Lancaster, and it will potentially be better for Owen with Stuart being there. The two of them will know each other from the past because of Lancaster’s time at England.

“It’s a great club and a great city to live in. I loved my time there. Owen will be great; he will fit the way they are playing just now really well.

“Everyone views him as a kicking 10, but he’s got a great attacking game as well. He will be great for them.”

Farrell announced last year that he would be taking a break from international rugby this year and his two-year deal with Racing 92 means he will not play for the Red Rose until 2027, at least.

Looking ahead to the Six Nations

Meanwhile, Russell has been in stellar form for Bath since his arrival at the side after the World Cup and Scotland fans will hope that their co-captain for the tournament takes that form into the Scottish jumper.

Scotland will be hoping to bounce back in the Six Nations in the wake of a disappointing group exit from the World Cup, albeit having competed in one of the toughest pools in the tournament’s history.

“For us the Six Nations has been frustrating over the last few years,” Russell said. “Last year we got off to a good start but never managed to continue it.

“This year, it’s ideally about doing a bit better and winning the first two, three or four games if we can.

“It would definitely be frustrating if we didn’t manage to finish up with a title given the players and strength in depth that we have in the squad. However, all the other teams are getting stronger as well.

“We’ve got great strength in depth in the squad now, and we potentially have the chance to win something, but we’ve had that for the last few years, and we haven’t managed it.”

Scotland kick off their Six Nations campaign in Cardiff when they tackle Wales on February 3.

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