Russell ready for ‘career peak’ as Scotland eye title

Finn Russell became only the fourth Scot to play 50 matches in the Six Nations as he helped his country to an epic victory over France.

His 51st appearance will give him a whole new experience in the tournament – a chance to win the championship.

Chris Paterson, Ross Ford and Stuart Hogg, the other members of the 50 club, never had a shot at the title going into the final weekend.

Since the Five Nations became Six in 2000, no Scottish player has.

Russell, 33, has had an extraordinary career. A Pro12 title win with Glasgow Warriors, a Prem title in the midst of a treble with Bath, a Champions Cup final appearance for Racing 92.

Add in 93 appearances and a showreel of breathtaking moments for Scotland, three British and Irish Lions tours and a series win as the undisputed first-choice 10 in Australia last year.

The debate around Scotland’s greatest ever player has reignited again recently, with Russell endorsements growing louder and louder.

The main counter argument is that he has never won anything in a Scotland jersey, never even come close. Now he has a chance to put that right.

If Scotland can beat Ireland in Dublin – which would be a significant achievement in itself given they have lost the past 11 meetings – and France fail to take care of their business against England in Paris, Scotland will be champions.

For Russell, that would eclipse everything.

“Winning something for Scotland, especially the Six Nations, would be definitely the peak of my career,” he said.

“When you start playing for Scotland, you always want to win it, obviously, and we’ve never put ourselves in a position where we can. So now we’re in that position, it’s all to play for this weekend.

Putting seven tries and 50 points on a French team that rocked up to Murrayfield looking unbeatable in the Six Nations blew the tournament wide open and sent shockwaves through the rugby world.

Inevitably the hype and the hope around this Scotland team will skyrocket as they head for that date with destiny in Dublin next Saturday.

But blocking out the external noise has been critical in this team finally starting to fulfil the potential many have long suspected it has.

They had to do it when the flak was flying after the capitulation against Argentina in November and the opening defeat by Italy in Rome a few weeks back.

The mindset remains the same even as the criticism is replaced by plaudits after three wins on the bounce.

“There will be a lot more outside noise after putting 50 points on France, but for us it’s making sure we keep it within the circle and keep doing what we’re doing.

“It’s never the perfect performance. And as long as we can keep the outside noise outside of the circle and not let it get to us, then that’s the main thing.”

After the missed opportunity of a first ever win over New Zealand and the collapse from 21-0 up against the Pumas in November, and again after the misery in the monsoon of Rome, Gregor Townsend stood firmly in front of his players, steadfast in his belief that it would all come good.

The head coach is now getting his rewards.

“Definitely a lot of credit to Gregor in terms of the belief that he’s had in us,” Russell said. “There was a lot of pressure on us after November and Italy, but it’s so important that we’ve all stuck together. We’ve had each other’s back.

“It just shows that we’re not the finished product at all, but we’re building in the right direction. That’s three wins on the bounce now, which is brilliant for us.

“But it’ll be a test next weekend and it’ll show where we’re actually at, going away to Ireland after three big wins, as to how we perform next weekend.