SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 14 hrs 50 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Scotland hopeful to have Finn Russell against France

:Headline: Scotland hopeful to have Finn Russell against France: ID:350736: from db_amp
Russell suffered a head injury playing for Racing 92 at the weekend.

Finn Russell has given Scotland hope that he may face France on Saturday despite going off with a head injury in Paris on Sunday.

The fly-half failed an initial head injury assessment after going off just before the break in a Top 14 encounter for Racing 92 against Toulouse.

But he was symptom-free after he arrived in Edinburgh on Monday morning and observed a light, mainly tactical training session at Scotland's camp.

Danny Wilson, right, is hopeful over Finn Russell (Ian Rutherford/PA)

Scotland will definitely be missing Stuart Hogg in Paris through a shoulder injury but there remains hope that Russell, their other main creative threat, will be able to play in his home city given the minimum return to action is six days.

Forwards coach Danny Wilson said: "He's with us, in the training group. Obviously he didn't meet the criteria to return to the field of play on Sunday, so from there on it's an assessment process which, with our excellent medical staff, will go through for the next few days.

"Six days is Saturday. There is a protocol and a system that all players go through. We just have to go along with our outstanding and very experienced medical staff who will make the relevant calls and decision. It's early days."

Wilson was philosophical about the fact Russell started six days before being due back in Paris, while most of his international team-mates were rested by Glasgow and Edinburgh.

"It's the way of the world in terms of players who don't play in their home countries," he said. "As we know, players are playing all over Europe and that's just something we have to get on with, something that happens."

If Russell fails to make it, Gregor Townsend's options include Adam Hastings and Peter Horne, while Worcester's Duncan Weir was among six players called up to join the squad.

And Wilson is "very confident" Scotland could cope without their most enigmatic talent.

"It's not down to one person," he added. "We all know that Finn is an outstanding rugby player. I've been really impressed with him, his attitude and his leadership in my short time with Scotland.

Adam Hastings impressed against Argentina last year (Ian Rutherford/PA)

"But I've also been very impressed with a lot of other players. If the likes of Finn or others are unavailable it provides opportunities for other boys.

"In the long term, there is something to gain from that in terms of international experience, Six Nations experience, going into a World Cup year."

As well as Weir, Edinburgh back-row Magnus Bradbury and Glasgow front-row pair Zander Fagerson and George Turner come in after making successful returns from injury over the weekend. Edinburgh backs Dougie Fife and James Johnstone also come in.

Injured Glasgow pair George Horne (shoulder) and Stafford McDowall (ankle) drop out along with front-row forwards David Cherry, Murray McCallum and Jake Kerr.

Hogg has been ruled out of the France game after suffering a shoulder injury last time out against Ireland, but he will be monitored with a view to returning later in the tournament.

"Hoggy is not with us this week," Wilson said. "At the moment it's a short-term injury that will be treated, go through the right protocols and hopefully we'll get him back as soon as we possibly can."

amp_article__350736 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-18 19:07:38:
html db last update - 2019-02-18 19:07:38 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Finn Russell

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Share this article now:
Read more about Finn Russell Rugby Union
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .