Finn Russell’s newest World Cup disappointment has not dented his enthusiasm to play for Scotland because the talismanic stand-off declared he has no intention of constructing himself unavailable for the nationwide group any time quickly.
The 31-year-old was gutted at struggling a second successive pool-stage exit in France in October, however he instructed the PA information company his need to tug on the darkish blue jersey stays as robust as ever.
“No, not at all,” he stated when requested if his urge for food for worldwide rugby had been diminished by his World Cup expertise.
“If anything it’s given me a bit more of an appetite to get back into it with the national team again and try to get a few more wins and try to win something.”
Fellow Scotland star Stuart Hogg retired from rugby in the summertime aged 31 however Russell, who’s only a few months youthful than the previous full-back, goals to nonetheless be working at a stage that permits him to go to his fourth World Cup in 2027.
The fly-half, who lately joined Bath following 5 years in France with Racing 92, will flip 35 per week earlier than the showpiece in Australia begins.
“Hopefully,” he stated. “Age-wise, I’ll be able to make that. It’s just about whether or not I’m playing well enough, so hopefully I am. I’ve got no inclination to finish up any time soon internationally.”
This 12 months’s World Cup, through which Scotland had been effectively overwhelmed by South Africa and Ireland, reduce deep for Russell.
Instead of taking a vacation instantly afterwards, he selected to throw himself straight into membership rugby with new facet Bath, making his debut as an alternative in opposition to Newcastle only a week after the demoralising defeat by the Irish.
But as one in all Scotland’s vice-captains, he has been involved with head coach Gregor Townsend to dissect the match with a view to enhancing for the upcoming Six Nations.
“I came straight into something new after the World Cup so that didn’t allow me to reflect on it as much as others might have,” he stated. “I think that’s fine though. It’s always in the back of your mind.
“I had a call with Gregor just to chat and give my opinion on how we could have done better at the World Cup, how we could develop, and how we could use it as a learning curve for both of us and the whole team.
“We were both chatting about how we thought the World Cup went, where we can grow and develop from it, how we can get better as a team and us both as individuals – me as a player and him as a coach.
“It wasn’t like we were blaming each other or anything like that, it was just a good conversation to get us going in the right direction.
“The style of rugby we’re playing is very exciting and we’re scoring tries but obviously against Ireland in particular we had a disappointing result.
“We’ll have to address a few things from the World Cup that didn’t go as planned and we’ll have to grow as a group and get better but I’m looking forward to the Six Nations coming round and trying to achieve something.”
Russell himself is in a great place. Following 5 years in Paris, he and his younger household have loved “a very easy transition” to life in Bath over the previous couple of months.
After beginning seven of the in-form Gallagher Premiership facet’s final eight matches, the stand-off feels match and recent.
“I’m feeling good,” he stated, talking forward of Saturday’s Champions Cup journey to Cardiff. “I came straight back after the World Cup and played the next week so I didn’t have a week to dwell on the World Cup.
“I just wanted to get on to the next thing and get a new focus straight away.
“After a few games, I had a week off and went to New York with my partner so it was nice to get away and relax.
“Even though the World Cup was frustrating, it’s been good to get back in here and get some good results.
“It’s been a new challenge with a new team and I’m feeling fresh.
“I’ve settled in very smoothly, easily, quickly, which has been brilliant and rugby-wise we’ve been playing well. So far, so good. I’m enjoying it.”
In addition to the standard membership and nation issues, the prospect of a 3rd British and Irish Lions tour will quickly be on Russell’s horizon.
The Scottish celebrity went to New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa in 2021 and is a probable contender to be concerned once more in Australia the summer season after subsequent.
“It’s something I know is coming up and it will be at the back of my mind but my main focus for now is doing as well as I can with Bath and Scotland and then we’ll get to the Lions when it comes round,” he stated.
“I think everyone in the UK and Ireland will have that as their goal after the World Cup but it’s quite a while away. I just need to do my job for Bath and Scotland.”
Source: www.impartial.co.uk