Bath and Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is plotting how to get the best out of the Scotland attack ahead of the Six Nations next month.
Russell has been in outstanding form in his first season for Bath powering the side into the top four of the Premiership standings.
Prepping Six Nations attack
The flair-filled playmaker believes the move to the English side and working with Johann van Graan’s game plan has helped him grow as a fly-half. The Scot also reveal he has been in close contact with the national head coach Gregor Townsend ahead of a big couple of months.
Russell remarked, “It hasn’t given me a new lease on life, but switching teams with Bath has energized me.”
It’s been a fresh challenge, and it’s been enjoyable to work with new players in a slightly different organization and with a new gameplan.
Since coming here, I have once more grown. As a 10, it is beneficial for me; the more experience I have, the better.
“I have spoken to Gregor quite a lot. He texted me on Saturday, and we’ve been talking every week since.
“On Monday, I have a call with him to discuss some options regarding the attack through the Six Nations.”
Rugby World Cup disappointment
Scotland was drawn in a very difficult pool at the Rugby World Cup alongside both Ireland and eventual winners South Africa which ultimately resulted in an early exit.
However, Russell claims that the timing of his move from French side Racing 92 to Bath offered a welcome distraction to get over the hurt from the global showpiece.
“Physically I was all right. I played three games out of four at the World Cup but every game I had a week off after so physically I was fine,” he said.
It was even more disheartening. I nearly didn’t have time to think about what had happened since all I wanted to do was go back in here immediately.
“I took a week off, three or four weeks after my return, and went on an actual trip and decompressed, but returning here and starting afresh has been a great way to get over it.
“Potentially, if I had stayed at Racing I would have gone back there and it would have been the same again and dwelling on the World Cup.
“I was able to move past that World Cup by joining a new team, having new coaches, and starting over.”
