FINN Russell might be best known for his outrageous skill and maverick playmaking, but Gavin Hastings believes it is the fly-half ‘s ability to make others shine that should make him the leading contender to be a Test starter for the British & Irish Lions next year.
A two-time Lion himself, former Scotland fullback Hastings captained the world’s most famous tourists on their 1993 trip to New Zealand, having helped them come from behind to beat Australia four years earlier.
Russell impressed for the Lions away to South Africa in 2021, coming off the bench against the world champions in the third Test.
And after some stellar performances from Russell in his first season for Bath in the this year, Hastings believes his countryman is in pole position for the Lions No.10 jersey.
“I think Finn Russell’s skillset, he can really make things happen,” said Hastings. “Maybe before coming to Bath, people would have thought he was okay, but sometimes in a Scotland shirt you don’t see the best of him because there is limited time training and Scotland are sometimes struggling.
“It is very difficult when you have got back-foot ball just to be creative the whole time.
“You could ask most Bath supporters what Finn has brought to this Bath team, and they would say he has given confidence to the players around him and brought the best out of them.
“That is a great sign of a player. I have always admired him. He has got a great skillset.
“I would love Finn to have an opportunity and hopefully he will get that opportunity on the Lions tour.”
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