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.
Russell made his own point on Saturday when he set up three tries and kicked 18 points for Racing 92 as they defeated French league leaders Montpellier – but that one performance alone is clearly not going to be enough to push the playmaker back into international contention.
“I haven’t pulled up the game from the weekend,” Tandy admitted. “I’ve just obviously been looking at the boys who were coming in for this week and the 10s that were here.
“Gregor has [seen it] – he has been on top of the performances. I think we are always watching as coaches, particularly in the attacking end of the game.
“So, we would never say never, but first and foremost we’ve got to really concentrate on the boys who are in and what they are going to bring over the Autumn period.”
Tandy added that he has full confidence in Thompson being able to take the step up to international rugby this Autumn despite his limited game time this season. He is the most inexperienced of the three stand-offs in the squad but has a maturity beyond his 23 years.
Scotland kick-off their Autumn schedule against Australia on Saturday evening and with that match being played outside World Rugby’s designated international window, Adam Hastings is not being released by his English club, Gloucester, meaning Thompson is almost certain to be named on the bench.
“Ross is pretty mature and level-headed – he just comes in and gets on with it,” said Tandy. “He’s really consistent around his performance, both in training and when he plays.”
Tandy also confirmed that Jack Dempsey has recovered from the illness and rib injury which combined to side-line the No.8 in recent weeks. The Glasgow Warriors man is now expected to make his Scotland debut against the country he previously represented 14 times.
Dempsey has become available through World Rugby’s controversial new birth-right transfer rule which allows a capped player to switch allegiance to another country they have “a close and credible link via birth-right” to once they have completed a three-year stand-down period.
“These events are massive and for Jack it will be maybe a little bit bigger than normal, but he’s played in big games before, and I think his form has been outstanding,” said Tandy. “With these boys now, they focus on their own performance and what they can control, and I’m sure Jack will be no different if he does have an opportunity.”
“You see what a good player he is, and you are always looking to add depth to your squad, so that if you pick up a bump or two you can keep the same level of performances.
“We’re really excited to have Jack in our environment, and he’s going to add value and increase competition in an already really strong position for us.”
Meanwhile, after Monday’s confusion over whether mind coach Aaron Walsh had been recruited to help Scotland leading up to the World Cup, Tandy confirmed the New Zealander was indeed coming.
“Aaron will be coming in. He’s arriving on Friday,” said the Welshman. “The game is evolving. There’s a lot of mental skills involved in big Test matches. I think if he can help the guys in big moments and help them perform better, that could add value to us.”
