Stirling rugby star has eyes on Lions whitewash after history-making win
Finn Russell capped off a dream summer by writing his name into rugby history on Saturday — but he insists there needs to be one final flourish before his work is done.
The Bridge of Allan born star was at the centre of an all-time classic last weekend as the British and Irish Lions roared back from a 23-5 deficit at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to defeat Australia 29-26 in the second Test match.
The Wallabies had responded to their comfortable first Test defeat in Brisbane with a stirring display in front of more than 90,000 people, most notably in a first half which was capped off by a trio of scores from James Slipper, Jake Gordon and Tom Wright.
The Lions looked shell-shocked in the wake of the hosts' power, but clung to give themselves a foothold with scores from Tom Curry and Huw Jones.
A back-and-forth second half saw the sides trade scores, before Irish full-back Hugo Keenan was sent free in the corner to slide down as the clock was almost red - sending the Lions player and sizeable contingent Down Under wild in the stands.
Once again, Russell was at the heart of the game, mixing some moments of genius with some missed kicks - but showed his composure and class to set up the Keenan score.
But despite the pulsating action, the typically chilled 32-year-old reflected on his mindset during the Melbourne maelstrom.
Speaking to the BBC after the match, he said: 'Surely you guys know me enough now that if I miss a conversion, it's not going to be the end of the world.
'We had a lot of momentum, we were on top of them at the end of it. We had them on the ropes when Blair broke through.
'There was no stress. The whole team was amazing. Jac Morgan's cleanout that obviously created the try, it was just sticking to what we were doing, just playing rugby.
'This year's been very special. We've won a couple of titles with Bath - and I've not won much in my career.
'It's hard to appreciate it just now, because you're still in the moment, you're still half an hour or an hour after the game, so you're still riding on that wave.
'But when I get down time, and if I get any time away from the kids, I can reflect and it'll make it even more special. It's probably one of the best nights.'
Russell's achievement was congratulated both Down Under and also closer to home, with Stirling County offering some words on behalf of their former youngster.
In a post on their social media, County wrote: 'A huge congratulations to local boy and ex-County player Finn Russell who was part of the British and Irish Lions side that secured the series victory in Australia yesterday!
'From playing rugby as a boy at County and local Wallace High School, to being a key player on the world stage, the whole club is beyond proud.'
Sydney now awaits for the tour's curtain call, with Russell keen to add to the legacy already created and secure a Lions whitewash - an achievement which the former Wallace High pupil admits he is 'gunning for'.
He continued: 'Everyone here has been gunning for this for their whole career.
'To get to the Lions is one thing and then to get a series win is another. This is my third tour and I'd not won one, so it's so special to get this, bringing four nations together to be a family for five, six weeks.
'But it's not job done yet. We need to go and try and finish it off next week. Even though we've got the series, we want to finish on a high.'
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