The Fine Margin of Glory: Finn Russell’s Performance Under Pressure
As Finn Russell stood dejectedly on the hallowed turf of Twickenham following Scotland’s heartbreaking 16-15 defeat to England, one could only wonder what his Bath club-mates – Ollie Lawrence, Ted Hill, and Ben Spencer, all part of the England squad – were saying to him. It’s unlikely they were offering words of consolation about his missed kicks, which could have jeopardized his chances of being selected for the upcoming Lions tour.
The head coach of the Lions, Andy Farrell, will undoubtedly take a comprehensive view of potential fly-halves for the summer tour, rather than solely focusing on Russell’s three missed conversions during this Six Nations clash. Nonetheless, Farrell will aim to steer clear of the confusion that Russell faced while preparing for the pivotal conversion following Duhan van der Merwe’s try in the dying moments of the match.
In a critical moment that could have changed the course of the game, Russell missed the conversion attempt in the 79th minute, which was a significant factor in Scotland’s loss, as highlighted in this tweet:
Finn Russell missed this 79th-minute conversion for Scotland against England… and England went on to win by a point 😢 #BBCRugby #SixNations
It remains unclear what transpired as Russell readied himself for the crucial kick. The situation was fraught with tension, typical of a Lions Test match where every detail counts. Referee Pierre Brousset seemed to call Russell to place the ball on the tee at a spot that was misaligned with where Van der Merwe had grounded the ball. Compounding this confusion was the incessant chatter from England’s captain, Maro Itoje, which undoubtedly distracted Russell as the shot clock ticked away.
When Russell finally took the kick, he was positioned two meters inside the touchline and further from the posts than necessary. This misalignment proved costly, as the ball veered left of the posts, mirroring the narrow margin by which Scotland fell short of victory.
On a day filled with intense Six Nations action, where Ireland’s Sam Prendergast shone brightly with impressive goal-kicking and Fin Smith showcased his mettle with a remarkable 50-meter penalty, Russell’s misses were inevitably subjected to scrutiny. His first miss, a wayward kick from the 15-meter line after Ben White’s early try, was particularly disappointing.
Many questioned whether Russell was truly match-fit, especially after he had to limit his training due to a significant injury to his cheekbone in the previous match against Ireland, which Scotland lost. Meanwhile, Farrell, currently on temporary leave to evaluate Lions candidates, would have been watching intently.
Despite the setbacks, the 32-year-old Russell, sporting his distinctive go-faster stripes haircut, did exhibit qualities befitting a Lion. Critics who argued that Smith’s distribution was superior might have been overlooking Russell’s contributions during the match.
- Russell executed two excellent passes leading up to White’s try.
- His sharp miss-pass resulted in Huw Jones scoring Scotland’s second try, although he missed the subsequent conversion attempt.
- He displayed remarkable skills with cross-kicks, setting up aerial contests favoring Scotland.
While Fin Smith and Tom Curry made aggressive plays against Russell, he navigated their defenses with agility, reminiscent of a matador deftly avoiding a charging bull. Russell’s ability to evade pressure and maintain composure was evident as he tidied up low and high passes, showcasing his skill set that could be vital for the Lions.
Scotland’s backline displayed an impressive synergy that could be crucial for Farrell when assembling his Test squad. The balance between Scottish and Irish players will be a key consideration for Farrell as he prepares for the imminent tour.
Despite the high tackles recorded by England (206) compared to Scotland’s 91, Russell’s play remained crucial, as he consistently orchestrated attacks that tested England’s defense. Notably, he executed a brilliant wrap-around play that left Henry Slade in his wake, although he hesitated to make a daring pass to the ever-dangerous Van der Merwe.
Russell’s performance did wane slightly towards the end; a penalty kick to touch fell short, allowing England to seize possession. However, he redeemed himself with a quality catch of a pass from Jordan and played a pivotal role in Van der Merwe’s try.
As Scotland heads into the remaining Six Nations fixtures against Wales and France, Russell will also look to contribute to Bath’s pursuit of Premiership success. The competition among fly-halves in the Six Nations remains fierce, with contenders like Prendergast and Jack Crowley from Ireland, the Smiths from England, and possibly Gareth Anscombe from Wales making their case for selection.
Owen Farrell’s form has faltered in the shadows of his Racing 92 contract in France, yet his extensive experience across three Lions tours could sway public opinion in his favor if he regains his form swiftly.
In summary, while Finn Russell’s reputation may have taken a hit following this match, his position in the race for the Lions’ No. 10 jersey remains relatively secure, albeit with some competitive pressure.
