Finn Russell has star quality to threaten Rugby World Cup upset in pool of death
Finn Russell steps onto rugby’s biggest stage this weekend hailed as the “best attacking stand-off in the world”.
The Scotland playmaker carries the hopes of a nation given little chance of grabbing one of the two qualifying spots in Pool B. Despite boasting their strongest ever team, Gregor Townsend’s men are drawn with holders South Africa and Ireland, the sport’s top ranked side.
Yet former Scotland captain Andy Nicol reckons that with Bath-bound Russell pulling the strings anything is possible.
“The game is so multi-faceted these days that you can’t rely on one player being in a different stratosphere,” he said.
“But when that player is your stand-off, and he’s got class players around who can respond to him, that’s a different matter.
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“Finn, on his day, is the best attacking stand-off in world rugby. I know that is quite a statement but he’s proved it with Scotland and Racing in the French Top 14.
“Factor in Sione Tuipulotu, Huw Jones, Darcy Graham, Duhan Van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn and that’s some serious firepower he's got to work with.
Russell and Stuart Hogg celebrate Calcutta Cup victory over England in 2022 (David Rogers/Getty Images)“He’s got the players around him who can be on his wavelength. Look at the second half of the Six Nations game against Wales. He had four interventions that led to four tries.
“Finn’s got so much - literally every attacking kick and every attacking pass in the book - and he scans beautifully in front of him.
“He’s shown his ability to play right in the face of the defence and still execute the right pass, or the right kick. If he can get that execution and the players around him match that, he can have a huge influence.”
The first test of that comes on Sunday when the Springboks launch the defence of their title against opponents ranked a best-ever fifth in the world.
Russell and Scotland boss Gregor Townsend have buried the hatchet (AFP via Getty Images)Four years ago Scotland arrived at the World Cup in Japan with high hopes only to not show for the opening game against Ireland.
Twelve points up after 15 minutes, the Irish breezed to an embarrassingly easy 27-3 win from which Scotland never recovered.
Nicol shudders at the memory but believes the experience will guard against a repeat at Stade Velodrome, certainly in terms of Scotland’s preparedness.
“Everyone says it’s a horrible draw for us and of course it is,” said the ex-scrum-half, who will be hosting events onboard a cruiser with Infinity Sports Travel. “But it’s not exactly a great draw for Ireland or the Boks.
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Andy Nicol celebrates captaining Scotland to Six Nations victory over England in 2000 (AFP/Getty)“You don’t need to be a one-eyed Scotsman to look at our team and say, on their day, if they click and get it right, they can match anyone.
“Particularly if Finn opens his bag of tricks and plays at the top of his game.”
Join Andy Nicol on an exclusive Rugby World Cup cruise with Infinity Sports Travel. Trips for the quarter finals with match tickets are still available at www.infinitysportstravel.com
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