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Changing room photo suggests Finn Russell doing just fine despite Scottish dramas
By Ian Cameron
A post-match changing room photograph taken following Racing 92’s 27 – nil hammering of Castres suggests exiled Scottish star Finn Russell is doing just fine back in France.
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Last week Russell dramatically walked out of Scotland camp after he went on an impromptu Sunday night drinking session that saw him miss Monday training.
Finn Russell allegedly refused to stop drinking at the team hotel on the sunday night, allegedly didn’t turn up for training on the Monday and was axed for the Ireland game because of his alleged behaviour. He left the Scotland camp to return to Paris.
— Rob Robertson (@ROB_Robireland) January 23, 2020
A Scotland statement read: “Stand-off Finn Russell will play no further part in preparations for Scotland’s Six Nations opener against Ireland, having been disciplined for a breach of team protocol during the week’s camp in Edinburgh. He has returned to his club.”
STATEMENT | Scotland team spokesperson: “Stand-off Finn Russell will play no further part in preparations for Scotland’s Six Nations opener against Ireland, having been disciplined for a breach of team protocol during the week’s camp in Edinburgh. He has returned to his club."
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) January 23, 2020
Duncan Weir has just replaced him in the squad and initial word from the camp was that Russell would need to make the first move to bring himself back into Gregor Townsend’s Six Nations fold.
He returned to Racing 92 and played a key role in their thumping of Castres. Despite being away from home, the Parisians picked apart their rivals in a virtuoso performance.
A post-match snap shows the flyhalf bare-chested and flexing his muscles.
The loss of Scotland’s star 10 is being met with dismay by Scottish fans. Russell has been in exceptional form for Racing this season, and while Adam Hastings makes for an able replacement, most feel Russell’s X-Factor and form will be hard to replace.
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The 27-year-old was named Man of the Match in the memorable 38-38 draw against England in the Six Nations last year, a contest in which Scotland rallied from a 31-point deficit.
Russell told James Harrington writing for the Scottish Sportsmail that he is just a ‘phone call away’ should his Scottish international teammates need any advice as they face Ireland in Dublin.
Checked in for takeoff! ?
Scotland leave Edinburgh for an overseas camp in Spain ahead of our Guinness Six Nations opener v Ireland #AsOne pic.twitter.com/33SjPVRAG1
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) January 26, 2020
Scotland fly to Spain this morning for warm-weather training, but it looks like something is going to to have to happen behind the scenes for this row to be smoothed over.
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WATCH: Russell warned he must make the first move to salvage Scotland career.
