Finn Russell ‘taking nothing for granted’ ahead of tour with British & Irish Lions where ‘there is still a lot of work to do’
British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell and fly-half Finn Russell.
Scotland and Bath playmaker Finn Russell doesn’t think he is assured of a starting position with the British and Irish Lions ahead of their eagerly anticipated tour to Australia.
Before heading Down Under, the Lions will take on Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday and head coach Andy Farrell’s squad has been bolstered by the arrival of 15 players selected from Leicester Tigers, Bath and Leinster.
This comes after Leinster secured a 32-7 triumph over the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship Final while Bath edged out the Tigers 23-21 in the Premiership finale on Saturday.
In fine form for Bath
Russell has delivered several superb performances for Bath in recent weeks, which proved pivotal during their victorious Premiership and Challenge Cup campaigns.
Despite his outstanding form, the 32-year-old said he is taking nothing for granted as far as selection is concerned for the Lions.
Russell is the most experienced fly-half in Farrell’s squad and is set to go on his third Lions tour, with England duo Fin Smith and Marcus Smith his rivals for the famous touring team’s number 10 jersey for the Tests.
“It’s a clean slate for us all,” he told Scotland Rugby News. “A lot can change on tour so you have to be on it and take nothing for granted.
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‘There is still a lot of work to do’
“Some may have their favourites to start at 10 and other positions before the tour but there is still a lot of work to do.
“How you build relationships with each other over there in Australia, how you work with the other players on the pitch and how things go in general will all be factors if you play or not.
“The way the coaches will want the team to play also comes into it.”
He also highlighted the importance of building relationships with his potential half-back partners and midfield team-mates over the next six weeks.
“The coaches might have a team scribbled down on paper, but I think they will wait to see how the boys all go with each other, how they’ll fit into the system,” added Russell.
“I don’t know what the system’s going to be yet, similar to the Ireland system maybe, which would be fine to work in, but I haven’t worked in that shape.
“We have a few games before the Test matches to work on things.”
