Struggle in store for Finn Russell

Something kept sticking in my mind while watching the Champions Cup final between Exeter Chiefs and Racing 92.

There was the occasional barnstorming brilliance of Finn Russell at number 10 for the French, with his eye for an opening, ability to spark havoc in the opposition’s defence and capacity to make things happen.

But the trouble was they weren’t always good things for his team, who slipped to a nerve- shredding 31- 27 defeat despite all the colour, charisma and panache they brought to a coruscating contest.

His side seemed to be gaining momentum as they rallied from falling behind in the opening stages and Russell’s smart cut-out pass opened the door for Juan Imhoff to reduce the deficit to a mere two points.

But then, just when they needed to be clinical, the Scotland stand- off despatched a looping pass just outside his own 22. It was chancy at best, reckless at worst and there was a groan from this viewer when the ball was plucked out of the air by Jack Nowell and he released Henry Slade for the try.

Didn’ t this all seem horribly familiar? Yes, it did. Because these were exactly the sort of incidents which happened regularly when Gregor Townsend strutted his stuff.

In his pomp, the now Scotland coach was a joy to behold, whether producing the fabled “Toony flip” as the catalyst for Gavin Hastings to run under the posts in Paris in 1995, or his heroics against Les Bleus when Scotland triumphed in the last-ever Five Nations Championship in 1999.

But he also endured other days where too many passes were intercepted or cross kicks landed in the wrong place, which piled pressure on his teammates and, in several instances, gifted victory to rivals.

It’s obviously good news that Russell has returned to the Scotland fold, after his departure from the squad earlier this year after the breakdown of his relationship with Townsend – though subsequent events and the impact of a pandemic have made that spat between two adults seem even more petty.

Yet the reality is that while the Racing star is a genuinely world-class performer – and the Scots don’t have an abundance of such serried talents – he’ll never be Mr Consistency.

That’s why his coaches have to accept his high-risk Champagne rugby can be a blessing or a curse. There’s no middle ground with the Flying Finn.

And one wonders how much that will appeal to Warren Gatland, one of a sprinkling of spectators in attendance at Saturday’s behind-closed-doors final.

In the past, Gatland, who is the Lions coach for the tour of South Africa next summer, has been scathing about what he perceives as a lack of leadership and streetwisdom in the Scottish ranks.

Whether he’s right or wrong is immaterial, given he is calling the shots and is one of life’s Roundheads, inclined to favour pragmatic percentages over party tricks.

Hi s record against Scotland while in charge of Wales speaks for itself. He trampled all over them year after year and, too often, exposed a soft underbelly.

This isn’t to denigrate Russell, but he is a cavalier character, somebody who loves spontaneity and acting on his feet. From Gatland’s perspective, does he reckon these will be the qualities which will help beat the world champions in their own backyard?

I was in South Africa in 1997 when Jim T el fer and Ian McGee ch an orchestrated a memorable series win over the Springboks. Townsend was at fly-half for their victories in the first two matches in Cape Town and Durban and he managed to adapt his game to being solid rather than spectacular.

It helped that he was surrounded by tough- asteak customers in Scott Gibbs, Alan Tait and Martin Johnson and his ferocious group of warriors in the pack. Townsend was the luxury item in the car showroom and he shone.

But that was more than 20 years ago, when there were plenty of Scots in a squad coached by two illustrious sons. That number has diminished.

Ultimately, Russell might have to tone down the pyrotechnics and avoid the glaring errors when and if the Six Nations gets under way.

He could probably do without wearing any more pink bow- ties which the Racing personnel sported at Ashton Gate.

Yes, he is a class act. But Gatland wants more than that from his Lions.

CLASS ACT: But it was Racing 92 number 10 Finn Russell’s gamble which handed the Exeter Chiefs European Champions Cup final glory.