Five clubs plot huge swoop for Scotland talisman Finn Russell

Five clubs from the Gallagher Premiership, the Top 14 and Japan are already on the starting line to open talks with Scotland and Lions superstar Finn Russell when he enters the final year of his £1.2m contract with Bath next July, RugbyPass understand.

Russell, 32, one of the most creative fly-halves in the game, has scored 397 points in 81 Scotland appearances and is their fourth all-time leading scorer, with only Chris Paterson, Greig Laidlaw, and Gavin Hastings scoring more for their country.

A key part of the Glasgow Warriors squad that lifted the PRO12 title in 2015, Russell enjoyed a hugely successful stint in Paris with Racing 92 before moving to Bath after Scotland's early exit from the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Racing are understood to be one of the clubs interested in signing Russell, but the decision would depend on what former England skipper Owen Farrell does when his two-year contract expires at the same time.

The pair participated in the Lions' 2017 tour to New Zealand and, four years later, the trip to South Africa, and Russell, who made 107 appearances in five seasons with the Paris glamour boys, is still highly regarded at La Defense Arena.

He was spotted deep in conversation with the Racing president Laurent Travers when he attended Scotland’s 32-15 defeat at the hands of back-to-back World Cup winners South Africa at Scottish Gas Murrayfield last Sunday.

Stade Francais are also keen to speak to him, and former Premiership and Champions Cup winners Saracens have also expressed an interest, as have Japanese side Urayasu D-Rocks, who Laidlaw now coaches.

Laidlaw is keen to link up with his compatriot Russell in the Japan Rugby League One.

Bristol Bears owner Steve Lansdown has made him his No 1 target to play alongside his Scotland international team-mate Tom Jordan, who the West Country side have lined up for a move next summer.