Scotland’s fly-half Finn Russell speaks to the Referee Ben O’Keefe during the Pre-World Cup Friendly Rugby Union match between Scotland and France at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 5, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Scotland promise to come out swinging in the Rugby World Cup
Head coach Gregor Townsend has promised that Scotland will come after the Springboks in their Rugby World Cup opener.
Scotland’s fly-half Finn Russell speaks to the Referee Ben O’Keefe during the Pre-World Cup Friendly Rugby Union match between Scotland and France at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 5, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Head coach Gregor Townsend has promised that Scotland will come after the Springboks in their Rugby World Cup opener.
Townsend feels that his side have nothing to lose as the clear underdogs.
Scotland to come out swinging
ALSO READ: Eddie Jones says winning shapes perceptions
A positive result for Scotland will give them hope of getting out of the toughest group in the tournament.
“We’ll be outsiders but that gives us a nothing to lose mentality,” said the Scotland coach.
ALSO READ: France lose South African lock in RWC injury hammer blow
“We just need to focus on delivering our game and go after the opposition.”
Townsend has backed mercurial flyhalf Finn Russell to lead the charge for Scotland the Brave.
ALSO READ: Is this the solution to England’s problems?
“He’s hitting that sweet spot where, after playing the game for 10 years in that one position and playing against some of the best teams around, he has an understanding of where space might open up,” said Townsend.
A maturing player
ALSO READ: Springboks wary of Scotland’s secret scrum weapon
Russell isn’t the liability he once was and has gotten a hold of his life off the pitch and his game on it.
“If we’d had a big win I’d go wild. If we’d lost, I’d be picking up my spirits by having a laugh and forgetting about it. I used alcohol to deal with different scenarios, without really knowing it,” Russell told the Daily Mail earlier in 2023.
“[Fatherhood] gave me a reason to change. Not necessarily grow up, but take more responsibility. Some might not agree but I’m more responsible now.”
Scotland Rugby World Cup squad 2023
Forwards
Ewan Ashman, Jamie Bhatti, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie (c), Pierre Schoeman, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Hamish Watson.
Backs
Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris, Ben Healy, George Horne, Huw Jones, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Finn Russell, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White.
