Finn Russell to leave Glasgow Warriors

(Photo: Getty Images)
By Adam Ellis
Glasgow Warriors have confirmed fly-half Finn Russell will leave the club at the end of the season to pursue a ‘lucrative opportunity' elsewhere.
The Scotland international has been heavily linked with a move to Racing 92 to replace the outgoing Dan Carter, who is due to sign for a club in Japan.
At 25, Russell has already accumulated 31 caps for Scotland and he admitted he preferred the prospect of applying himself to new experiences rather than being a one-club man.
“I've always wanted to experience as much as I can during what is a short rugby career,” said Russell, who has played all his senior rugby at Glasgow since making his debut in 2012.
“It was obviously a difficult decision to leave Glasgow but I have the opportunity to take myself out of my comfort zone and experience a new culture and type of rugby.
“However, I am fully focussed on Glasgow Warriors and will do everything I can to make my final season at Scotstoun a successful one.”
The Warriors sit at the summit of the PRO14's Conference A with a perfect record of eight wins from eight under head coach Dave Rennie, not unsettled from the loss of Gregor Townsend to the national team in June.
Now having to make arrangements for the loss of their star fly-half, Glasgow managing director Nathan Bombrys said: “Our club has an excellent track record of retaining our key players in recent years.
“However, in this instance, Finn has decided to move on and accept a lucrative opportunity at another club.
“We respect his decision and when the time comes we will thank him for his contribution to the club. It has been great watching him develop and grow wearing a Glasgow Warriors shirt.
“We know he will be fully focused on trying to bring another trophy to Glasgow Warriors this season.”