Finn Russell’s exploits for Racing 92 over the weekend seem to have attracted only a passing glance from the Scotland coaching team, and while the door is not closed to the prospect of the mercurial playmaker returning to the national squad at some point during this Autumn’s four- match Test Series, defence coach Steve Tandy was clearly lukewarm about the possibility of that happening during yesterday’s media briefing.
Russell – who has a turbulent history with head coach Gregor Townsend – was a shock omission from the 40-strong training squad for this campaign when it was announced last week.
Townsend insisted that the decision to exclude the 62-cap star was based on form, which was eye-raising given that he selected Ross Thompson instead, who has played just 21 minutes of pro rugby this season since recovering from a back injury.
