Finn Russell takes the question in his stride like a scrum-half’s sympathetic pass. It is one, of course, that he has been tossed so many times before. For nearly a decade now, it has been raised each and every January like forced rhubarb, a perennial pre-Six Nations poser from the pundits and prognosticators.
But, Finn, I nonetheless feel obliged to ask, is this Scotland’s year? Ireland are temporarily under new leadership with Andy Farrell beginning his sabbatical. France must travel to Dublin and Twickenham. Wales are a state; England’s start demanding. Italy? There is hope of a bright Azzurri future but this feels much too soon. Why not Scotland, then? Gregor Townsend’s squad is as settled as any, the Russell-conducted backline as brilliant as ever. An occasionally maligned forward pack went toe to toe with South Africa and Australia’s behemoths in the autumn and matched them for long periods. And there is recognition that time may be running out for a golden generation to decorate their talent with significant silverware.
