1
'Finn is in more pain than Adam' - Scotland face potential flyhalf crisis ahead of Autumn Nations Cup
By PA
Scotland face a potential outside-half crisis ahead of the Autumn Nations Cup amid fears that Finn Russell might require surgery.
Gregor Townsend’s side claimed a third successive win in the delayed 2020 Guinness Six Nations Championship with a 14-10 win over Wales in Llanelli, Scotland’s first win on Welsh soil since 2002.
But the win was marred by injuries to Russell and Adam Hastings, with both fly-halves forced off before the final whistle.
Racing 92 star Russell lasted little more than half an hour and his replacement Hastings had to come off in the final 10 minutes.
“Finn is in more pain than Adam. He was involved in a tackle and his leg just went to the side,” said Scotland head coach Townsend.
“He felt something go in his groin/adductor. It’s similar to what Grant Gilchrist did over in Munster with Edinburgh.
“A couple of days later he thought he would be OK but that wasn’t the case – he’s had to have surgery.”
“Adam sub-luxed his shoulder twice in the second half. The first went back in quite quickly and he carried on, but the second one he had to be removed from the field of play.
“Hopefully it won’t keep him out too long.”
Scotland have now won four games on the bounce wins with post-lockdown victories over Georgia and Wales coming on the back of Six Nations successes against France and Italy.
They will return to action in the Autumn Nations Cup with group games against Fiji, France and Italy before the end of November.
Full-back Stuart Hogg finished the Wales game at outside-half and Townsend says he has options there if Russell and Hastings are ruled out.
“James Lang has played a fair bit of 10, but we felt it was a case of the fewer the changes, the better,” Townsend said of Hogg’s move to outside-half.
“Scott Steele played 10 minutes on the wing for Harlequins a few weeks ago and Hoggy can move in at first receiver within games.
“We’ve got options at 10, Duncan Weir has been playing really well and Jaco van der Walt becomes qualified for France or Fiji.
“We’ve got a week off to reflect on that and see where Finn and Adam are.
“We’re hoping their injuries aren’t serious but it does look quite bad just now.”
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
There is nothing particularly significant about Ireland in this regard compared to other Tier 1 nations. To look at 'strategy' for illegal play its best to see what teams push boundaries with new laws. SA have milked two tries at ruck block downs. The strategy is to charge the first few before the ball is out at about 4 seconds but pull out and put up hands in reigned apology. The referees usually allow the scum half to clear without awarding a penalty in this scenario. The problem with that being that the scrumhalf is now taking over 5 seconds through no fault of his own. Having achieved a few slow balls > 5s , the SA forward can now pick a scrum to charge dead on 5s. Now if the scrum half waits, he will concede a penalty, as we saw against Scotland. With the new rule in place, any early charge should result in an immediate penalty.
SA also got an offside block against England which was pivotal again after a couple of 'apologetic' offside aborted charges forcing England to clear slowly.
Go to commentsYep, you're not the sharpest tool in the shed are you?
Go to comments