Latest news with #FinnRussell
BBC News
16 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Glasgow to face Bath in pre-season
Glasgow Warriors will face English champions Bath in a pre-season game at The Rec on 6 September (15:00 BST).Bath, whose team includes Scotland and Lions superstar Finn Russell, last season won their first league title since 1996 to complete a historic treble after also lifting the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge head coach Franco Smith said: "We look forward to visiting The Rec in September to open our pre-season campaign as we face a Bath squad whose qualities are well known across European rugby."The success they earned in 2024/25 showcased their physicality in both attack and defence as well as their ability to cause problems for any side from any area of the field."Smith's side face another English side - Northampton Saints - in a friendly at Scotstoun on 12 September and begin the new URC season at home to Sharks 14 days later.
Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Times
If Owen Farrell can't kick goals he should be nowhere near Lions Test team
Owen Farrell had a tidy game. A decent kick, off the left foot with a fortuitous bounce resulted in an early try for Jamie Osborne. A straightforward dummy enabled Duhan van der Merwe to score his fifth try of the tour while a forceful intervention into a touchline mêlée was pure Farrell leadership. His team-mates love him for his instinctive defence of a colleague. There were plenty of passes to Fin Smith, with the Saint looping around him. Farrell wears 12 but takes much first-phase ball in the fly half position. Primarily he delivered a series of pleasing sleight of hands; there was one sloppy pop pass to the ground, but overall he did well. He's a No10 masquerading as a 12. In two less-than-outstanding games he has been more than personally adequate. If the Lions wanted him in Australia for two midweek games, Andy Farrell's decision has been a definite success. However, Farrell said everyone was contending for the Tests, including his son and, come full-time, he seemed further than ever from being a likely part of the Lions Test 23. The niggling, season-long groin injury has prevented him from utilising his greatest weapon by far: his goalkicking. Neither Fin, nor Marcus Smith, kicked well in Farrell's two Lions outings but not once did the former great kicker signal for the kicking tee. More than any other reason, Farrell's claim to cover for the outstanding Finn Russell — were he to be injured — revolves around his old kicking credentials. An out-of-form Farrell on the bench? Maybe. A non-goalkicking Farrell? Forget it. His supporters will say that he has the ability to turn the screws in a tight Test match. There were a few such kicks against First Nations & Pasifika XV. Yet the most impressive element to Russell has been his capacity to keep a cool head. The pass to Sione Tuipulotu will live long in the memory from Brisbane but he has evolved into a poet who also plays the percentages. Russell is not going to revert to the so-called 'maverick' of old. Those childish toys have long been discarded. The only reasons to substitute him would be an injury or to rest him, with the game won. Marcus Smith stepped into those boots in the first Test. In Melbourne he came through the worry of a head injury assessment. That's two Smiths who, at the very least, will kick in a crisis. Russell and Farrell, at No10 and No12, could weave a few spells with the Englishman stepping into first receiver and the Scot drifting all over the park. That's fanciful. The Lions will want to be direct. That means Russell is the first man to get either hands or boot on to the ball. Australia, you suspect, would love nothing more than to see Russell five metres deeper than he was in Brisbane and not taking complete control of proceedings. More important for the Lions is to win the gainline against a potentially more powerful Wallabies side. Bundee Aki gives them this thunder from the bench. Farrell does not. He has never been a hard gainline runner at inside centre. The Saracens man's game revolves around soft passes and clever league-like dinks behind defences. That might not be the last thing the Lions need but it is nowhere near the top of the list of priorities. They have a pair of half backs who are tactically astute. More than anything they crave forward momentum. There is an Irish and a Scottish centre who fulfil that role in a way Farrell cannot. If he was the old Farrell, his goalkicking alone would make him at least part of the debate to cover 10 and 12. Especially given the availability of Blair Kinghorn as a versatile back-three man. The Toulouse and Scotland player was his club's first-choice kicker over none other than Thomas Ramos in 2024, but he hasn't kicked for while. He has the skill but goal-kicking is a matter of psychology as much as anything. 'Go out and kick us to victory if Finn gets a knock.' Alas, it is not that easy. I wouldn't trust either Marcus or Fin's boot on the evidence of this tour and the last few months of the season. But unless Farrell Sr has fooled us all and kept Farrell Jr's boots back for the second Test, one of the Smiths must cover Russell, the goal-kicker. The Lions need a goal-kicker on the bench. It's as simple as that.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scotland no longer on Lions outside looking in - we are attacking heartbeat of team to face Australia
Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Queen Victoria was on the throne the last time the British and Irish Lions played a Test match without a Welshman and it is a mark how far a proud rugby nation has slipped that this statistical anomaly will be emulated in Brisbane on Saturday. Andy Farrell's team for the first Test against Australia is made up of eight players from Ireland, four from England and three from Scotland. Jac Morgan, the last remaining Wales player in the wider squad, did not make the match-day 23. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The selection of Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones means Scotland provides the creative axis around which the tourists will try to outwit their hosts in the opening skirmish of a three-Test series the Lions are expected to win with something to spare. Finn Russell will start a Lions Test match at 10 for the first time. | Getty Images It is a trio which possesses an abundance of skill, flair and, in the case of Tuipulotu, a pugnacious competitiveness that is hard to resist. But it was not so long ago that Scotland were on the outside looking in when it came to the Lions. No Scots played in the three Tests against New Zealand in 2017 and there was only a fleeting appearance off the bench by Richie Gray in Australia four years earlier. Now they are the attacking heartbeat of Farrell's side, with the coach keen to tap into the midfield chemistry developed over the last few seasons in Gregor Townsend's Scotland side. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is Russell's third Lions tour but his first as undisputed top dog. At 32, he has had to be patient and this chance is long overdue for one of the most brilliantly talented playmakers these islands have produced. He becomes the first Scot to start at 10 for the Lions since Townsend in South Africa in 1997. In many ways, Tuipulotu's selection is the most fascinating. Born and raised in Frankston, Victoria, he played for Australia at under-20 level but was overlooked for full Wallabies honours and his career took him to Japan and then Scotland. Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu will start together in the centre for the British and Irish Lions against Australia in the first Test. | Getty Images Speaking at the start of the season, the Glasgow Warriors centre said he used to feel 'professional anger' about his treatment at the hands of Australian rugby. He channelled it in the right way and is now at peace with his career path. He qualifies for Scotland through his granny from Greenock but will still feel he has a point to prove on Saturday. His duel with Wallabies centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii promises to be one of the more combustible head-to-heads at Suncorp Stadium. The pair clashed at Murrayfield in November when Tuipulotu scored a try in Scotland's 27-13 win. The Aussie wunderkind tried to take out Tuipulotu with a mighty hit but just seemed to bounce off the Scotland captain. Tuipulotu went over to have a word with Suaalii at the next break in play and the Wallaby centre didn't take too kindly to it. In fact, he had come off far worse in the initial collision and had to be replaced. The former rugby league man looked decidedly miffed as he trudged off. 'I'll see you next time,' was his message to Tuipulotu. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sione Tuipulotu celebrates his try for Scotland against Australia at Murrayfield in November. | SNS Group / SRU In front of the Scottish 'creatives' will be a powerful and experienced pack led with quiet authority by Maro Itoje who will have Ireland's Joe McCarthy alongside him in the second row. Flankers Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne have been given the nod for the series opener in a fiercely competitive back row, with Jack Conan at No 8. The front row is an abrasive Anglo-Irish combination of Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong whose tour performances suggest they are capable of holding their own. Australia have been in the doldrums for a long time but have jumped to sixth in the latest world rankings and showed glimpses of their old selves during their autumn tour of Europe. They beat England and Wales and ran Ireland close and in Joe Schmidt have an astute coach who used to be Farrell's boss. But the New Zealander goes into this first Test without some key personnel. Both Rob Valetini, the powerful loose forward, and Will Skelton, the experienced lock, are missing with calf injuries. Noah Lolesio, their first-choice fly-half, is also absent which means a call-up for Tom Lynagh, a relative novice. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lynagh is the son of Wallabies great Michael and, at 22, is 10 years Russell's junior. He faces the most stringent examination of his rugby career on Saturday and how he copes is likely to go a long to shaping the outcome of what should be a fascinating first Test. Teams for Australia v Lions First Test, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 11:00 BST. Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Tom Lynagh, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, Matt Faessler, Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c). Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Tom Robertson, Tom Hooper, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway. Lions team: H Keenan (Leinster/Ireland); T Freeman (Northampton/England), H Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland), S Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland), J Lowe (Leinster/Ireland); F Russell (Bath/Scotland), J Gibson-Park (Leinster/Ireland); E Genge (Bristol/England), D Sheehan (Leinster/Ireland), T Furlong (Leinster/Ireland), M Itoje (Saracens/England) (C), J McCarthy (Leinster/Ireland), T Beirne (Munster/Ireland), T Curry (Sale/England), J Conan (Leinster/Ireland). Replacements: R Kelleher (Leinster/Ireland), A Porter (Leinster/Ireland), W Stuart (Bath/England), O Chessum (Leicester/England), B Earl (Saracens/England), A Mitchell (Northampton/England), M Smith (Harlequins/England), B Aki (Connacht/Ireland).
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Lions team named: Scotland trio to supply the creativity in first Test v Australia
Ireland players make up majority of team for game in Brisbane Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The British and Irish Lions team for the first Test will have a Scottish fulcrum after Andy Farrell opted for Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones as his midfield blend. Months of speculation ended at 4pm Australian Eastern Standard Time when Farrell unveiled his side for the match against the Wallabies at Brisbane on Saturday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As expected, Ireland provides the majority of the players and there are eight in the starting XV. There are four from England and the aforementioned three from Scotland but none from Wales. You have to go all the way back to the 19th century for the last time there was no Welsh representative in a Lions Test match. Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu will start for the Lions against Australia in Brisbane. | Getty Images The selection of Russell, Tuipulotu and Jones puts the creative onus on the Scots and it is the first time since 1993 one country has provided the 10/12/13 axis in a Lions Test. On that occasion it was English trio Rob Andrew, Will Carling and Jeremy Guscott who played in the series opener against New Zealand. Transferring chemistry to the Lions stage Russell becomes the first Scot to start a Lions Test match at 10 since Gregor Townsend in South Africa in 1997. The Bath fly-half, on his third Lions tour, was always expected to get the nod after a string of impressive performances over the last month. Tuipulotu and Jones' status was less certain but a head injury to Ireland centre Garry Ringrose opened the door and head coach Farrell opted to go for the Glasgow Warriors centre pairing rather than mix it up by playing one of them with Bundee Aki, who wins a place on the bench. The hope now is that the Russell-Tuipulotu-Jones axis can bring their chemistry to the Lions stage. Jamison Gibson-Park will be at scrum-half having linked up well with Russell in the preliminary matches. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Finn Russell, left, has been picked for the first Test but Blair Kinghorn misses out. | Getty Images There is no place in the squad for Blair Kinghorn who injured his knee during the win over the Brumbies in Canberra last Wednesday. Instead, Hugo Keenan starts at full-back, with the wing berths filled, as expected by Tommy Freeman and James Lowe. No place for Owen Farrell There are no surprises in a front row consisting of Ellis Genge, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong, while captain Maro Itoje is joined by Joe McCarthy in the engine room Tom Curry and Tadhg Beirne have been given the nod in the ferociously competitive flanker positions and, alongside No 8 Jack Conan. The versatile Marcus Smith has been named on the bench but Owen Farrell and Henry Pollock both miss out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are entering the business end of the tour and it is time to put in our best performance to date,' Andy Farrell said. 'We know how motivated the Wallabies will be and we know they are a well organised and dangerous side. 'It s a great occasion and a proud moment for Maro Itoje, who will captain the Test side, but also for those players who get the opportunity to represent the group on Saturday night.' British and Irish Lions team Versus Australia, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Saturday 11:00 BST Lions team: H Keenan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland); T Freeman (Northampton Saints/England), H Jones (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland), S Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland), J Lowe (Leinster Rugby/Ireland); F Russell (Bath Rugby/Scotland), J Gibson-Park (Leinster Rugby/Ireland); E Genge (Bristol Bears/England), D Sheehan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), T Furlong (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), M Itoje (Saracens/England) (C), J McCarthy (Leinster Rugby/Ireland), T Beirne (Munster Rugby/Ireland), T Curry (Sale Sharks/England), J Conan (Leinster Rugby/Ireland). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Lions reaction: Finn Russell gives honest assessment as both coaches seek improvement
Scotland stand-off plays big part in first-Test win over Australia Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland talisman Finn Russell took pleasure from the way the British and Irish Lions executed their gameplan in the 27-19 first Test win over Australia in Brisbane, but cautioned that sterner challenges against the Wallabies await. Russell was at his creative best in the opening stages of the match at Suncorp Stadium, sparking many attacks and setting up the opening try for fellow Scotland internationalist Sione Tuipulotu. The Bath No 10 also put in a power of work defensively. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Lions head to Melbourne next week already in a strong position for the three-match series, but Russell expects the Wallabies to be stung after their opening-night humbling. Finn Russell gives the thumbs-up after the Lions' win over Australia. | Getty Images "The first half we played really well,' said Russell. 'We talked about managing and controlling the game, putting them under pressure with our kicking game. "We probably didn't have enough of the ball to do that in the second half, but we played that pretty well in the first half and that showed in the score. "We had all the territory in the first half and score have scored more points, but gameplan wise and management, we were pretty happy with that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Wallabies will have 'different team' "It will be a different team we face next week. Will Skelton will be back, as well as a couple of the other boys. Joe Schmidt is a great coach, he will have a different plan for next week, they might change their team. "We will need to tidy up the mistakes we made, discipline and individual errors. We've had a taste of what it's like against the Wallabies. Next week, we won't be more relaxed, but we'll know what to expect in terms of the atmosphere and everything that is on the line." Lions head coach Andy Farrell was delighted with the win, but conceded his team were far from perfect as they let the hosts back into proceedings in the second half. Lions head coach Andy Farrell. | Getty Images 'I'm delighted to get the result, to get the first one under the belt which takes us to the last game,' said Farrell. 'It was a big occasion and the lads did the shirt proud. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "How they attacked the game, certainly in the first half, here in the spiritual home of the Wallabies, it was very pleasing to come away with the victory. 'We started the game very well, our game control was excellent throughout. Our physicality was spot on in the first half, in the second we obviously lacked a bit of discipline within our own game with loose carries and offloads, as well as penalties, that slowed the game down for us. Plenty for us to work on, which is a good place going into game two. 'We know what is coming' "We were here in 2013, and we're going to be playing against a wounded animal in the second Test at a sold-out MCG. It doesn't get any better. We'll know what's coming our way but we expect ourselves to be better again.' For Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt, he took heart from his team's spirit but admitted they 'fluffed their lines' in front of their home crowd. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "I felt like the players really dug in,' said Schmidt. 'Ten-nil down in the first 10 minutes, then the score right before half-time, it was frustrating to go in 17-5 instead of 10-5. Then straight after half-time [Dan Sheehan's try] from our line-out throw was really disappointing. It was a sore outing for the Wallabies. | AFP via Getty Images "We earned our way back into the game in the last 30 minutes and to finish as close as we did having not had a lot of time together, I'm proud of the players and the way they fought. "We definitely learned we've got character and courage. We weren't quite accurate at times. When we did get space and opportunity, we fluffed our lines a little bit.
