9 h. ago Lions coach Johnny Sexton opens up on tension with Finn Russell before tour

Johnny Sexton has spoken about the tension between him and Finn Russell, now that he is coaching the Scotland fly half on this summer’s British and Irish Lions tour.

Events

19 h. ago Johnny Sexton insists he is ‘here to help’ Finn Russell despite past Lions criticism

Russell included in 2021 Lions squad as Sexton omittedLions assistant coach says issue ‘blown out of proportion’Johnny Sexton has insisted he is “here to help” Finn Russell in his capacity as British & Irish Lions assistant coach, after the pair shook hands and cleared the air last month following the former Ireland captain’s previous criticism of the Scotland fly-half.Sexton toured with the Lions in 2013 and 2017 but was a surprise omission from Warren Gatland’s squad in 2021. In his autobiography, the former Ireland captain revealed how the snub “kills me to this day” and described Russell as a “media darling” before suggesting in a subsequent interview that he was “flashy”. Continue reading...

Politics

26 h. ago Finn Russell in gentle British & Irish Lions intro but one Scot remains absent

Stand-off travels to Dublin after title-winning exploits for Bath at Twickenham

Politics

50 h. ago Finn Russell savours Bath win as he looks forward to Lions test

Fly-half relishes end to his 10-year wait for a league title before switching focus to British & Irish Lions challengeHad Handré Pollard done his homework he might have known what was coming. For Finn Russell has previous with intercepts when attacking Twickenham’s south stand. It was playing that way that he picked off Owen Farrell’s pass before streaking clear in the madcap 38-38 draw between England and Scotland in 2019. And he was at it again on Saturday, coming up with the decisive moment in Bath’s dogged Premiership final victory over Leicester.On this occasion he did not finish off the try himself – you suspect he probably could have – instead flinging a nonchalant pass inside to the onrushing Max Ojomoh. In a final short on champagne moments, it put the fizz in Bath’s performance, extending their lead to 20-7 before a second penalty of the match proved pivotal in ensuring the 29-year wait for a Premiership title was over. Continue reading...

Events

50 h. ago ‘A special moment’: Russell revels in Bath glory as focus turns to Lions

Fly-half relishes end to his 10-year wait for a league title before homing in on British & Irish Lions challengeHad Handrè Pollard done his homework he might have known what was coming – for Finn Russell has previous with intercepts when attacking Twickenham’s south stand. It was playing that way that he picked off Owen Farrell’s pass before streaking clear in the madcap 38-38 draw between England and Scotland in 2019. And he was at it again on Saturday, coming up with the decisive moment in Bath’s dogged Premiership final victory over Leicester.On this occasion he did not finish off the try himself – you suspect he probably could have – instead flinging a nonchalant pass inside to the onrushing Max Ojomoh. In a final short on champagne moments, it put the fizz in Bath’s performance, extending their lead to 20-7 before a second penalty of the match proved pivotal in ensuring the 29-year wait for a Premiership title was over. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Finn Russell nominated for prestigious award alongside fellow British and Irish Lion

What the stats say as Russell up for player of season

Events