I’VE GAT TO GET MY PLACE BACK
FINN RUSSELL admits his British and Irish Lions dreams hinge on him repairing his relationship with Gregor Townsend.
The stand-off is convinced his public fall out with Scotland boss Townsend on the eve of the Six Nations is now a thing of the past, with both men having buried the hatchet in clear-the-air talks.
In fact, Russell believes the spat will prove to have a positive effect, with the pair now enjoying a growing bond not there previously in their eight years working together with Glasgow Warriors and the Test team. The Racing 92 star, who recently agreed a new contract tying him to the French side for another three years, is hopeful that will prove fruitful for him and the nation in a Scotland jersey – and potentially when the Lions tour South Africa next summer under Warren Gatland (left). He said: “I’ve worked with Gregor my whole career, almost eight years now. But we’ve both realised now we didn’t have that relationship that we probably needed to get the best of each other.
“Going forward, it will be better for me and Gregor. Rather than in the past, us both keeping quiet and letting things build up, we’re just chatting about anything. It’s very open now.”
On the potential for a Lions tour, he said: “I’ve not spoken to Warren Gatland at all.
“I don’t know whether me playing over here in France would make it complicated, I’m not sure. I’ve not thought too far ahead about that, it’s a year away almost. For me, I need to get back into the Scotland team, back into the starting team.”