‘Massive leader’ Finn Russell ‘desperate’ to clinch British and Irish Lions spot in final audition with Bath
Bath fly-half Finn Russell and an inset of Ted Hill.
Finn Russell heads into his final audition for British and Irish Lions selection hailed for his ability to bring calmness and control to teams on rugby’s biggest stages.
The Scotland star is desperate to savour the authentic Lions touring experience, having been only a temporary replacement in 2017, then played behind closed doors in the Covid summer of 2021.
The view of many is that he is the frontrunner for fly-half selection, ahead of Sam Prendergast, Fin Smith, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jack Crowley and Marcus Smith. But with that much talent and probably only three specialist 10s to go, there are going to be major casualties.
All eyes therefore are on Europe this weekend where the final round of auditions take place. Smith and Prendergast go head to head in Dublin, where Leinster play Northampton for a place in the Champions Cup Final.
The pinnacle of rugby
In the secondary Challenge Cup competition, Farrell’s Racing 92 take on Lyon in one semi-final, with Russell’s Bath travelling to Edinburgh in the other.
“I’d love to be involved,” admits Russell. “For any player in British and Irish teams that’s the pinnacle of rugby. It takes so much to become a Lion.
“Having spent 10 days in New Zealand in 2017 then toured South Africa in Covid, it’s made me desperate to make this one and fully experience a Lions tour without restrictions.”
Back in his homeland, Russell can expect no favours with Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist warning Saturday’s clash is going to be “no walk in the park” for his international teammate.
He knows that will not faze Russell, of course. The man has led Bath through their best season in years, they are still on for a trophy treble. But if he was in any doubt, Bath’s England flanker Ted Hill confirmed it today.
“Finn has been a massive leader for us this season,” testified the former Worcester captain. “He’s got an amazing skill set and confidence to go with that but, for me, what is particularly impressive is the calmness and control he’s brought to us which is vital when we’re playing in this high level competition.
“The control he brings, the clarity he gives us and his ability to relax those around him is massive, massive credit to him. People, I think sometimes misunderstand his smiling demeanour. He’s as competitive as they come. He wants to do the very best for his team.”
Finn Russell returns for Bath as Edinburgh welcome back Scottish trio for Challenge Cup semi-final
Too late to influence
Rob Kearney, a two-tour Lion, expects the playing squad, head coach Andy Farrell names in London next Thursday, to include three specialist 10s and a utility back. He is on record as saying Owen Farrell would be one of his picks and that a strong case can be made for Ford.
So what of Prendergast and Fin Smith, who he will watch at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening in his role as pundit for broadcasters Premier Sports?
“Firstly, I don’t think it’s too late to influence selection,” he told Planet Rugby. “If we’re being honest about it Andy has 90% of his mind made up already. But I suspect, I don’t know, there’ll be a couple of guys who’ll be on the fence and a good performance this week can cement their place, and likewise, a poor performance could just tip them the edge the other way.
“As coaches you love these big games – semi-finals of Europe, full house, the pressure stakes are high – because you get a different insight into players, and you get to learn and understand more about them in the heat of battle and pressure.
“I like the look both of Sam and Fin, and for different reasons. Take Fin for starters. I like the way he just goes about his business. He makes other people on the field look good.
“His decision-making at the line is very strong, his kicking game is very strong. I think England have benefited enormously this year from his growth and maturity. And I think his kicking game is going to be a key part to Northampton strategy if they want to beat Leinster and, in particular, this blitz defence.
“Sam is another guy who’s grown and matured enormously in the last year. And when you get exposure to the amount of international rugby that the two of them have had, it does bring on your growing as a player, your ability to play in the big games and move and lead the team around.
“Sam has had a really good season, and it does help him too when he’s playing behind the quality of pack that he has been. There’d be no surprise for me to see both of them named on the tour.”
For Crowley, Ford and Marcus Smith, their chance to influence selection is over. None play this weekend. But for the rest, opportunity knocks. And what an opportunity it is.
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