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Finn Russell has psyched himself for the likelihood that he will have to operate at the peak of his powers on Saturday night if Scotland are to get the result they need from their critical World Cup showdown with Ireland in Paris.<\/p>\n
The talismanic stand-off carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders going into this weekend\u2019s qualification shootout against the world\u2019s top-ranked side.Gregor Townsend\u2019s Scots require either a bonus-point victory or to deny their opponents a losing bonus if they are to emerge from Pool B and reach the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
For that to happen, Russell \u2013 widely deemed to have entered his prime over the past year \u2013 knows he will have to make his mark in the French capital on Saturday as he bids to upstage his veteran Irish counterpart Johnny Sexton.<\/p>\n
Asked if he feels he is currently in the best form of his career, the 31-year-old said: \u201cI\u2019m going to have to be this weekend!<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know. I think I had a good couple of years, then a year where I was a bit off after the Lions tour in 2021, but I think I\u2019ve come back from that now.<\/p>\n
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\u201cGregor thinks I\u2019m coming into my peak as a 10. I think this is a good age to be at where I\u2019m still young enough but I\u2019ve got a lot of experience behind me, so that bodes well for a 10.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019m playing some decent rugby just now and I just need to make sure I\u2019m ready for what comes at the weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m against Johnny Sexton, one of the best 10s in the world as well, so it\u2019s going to be tough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Less than a year ago, Russell\u2019s place at the World Cup appeared in jeopardy when he was left out of the initial squad for the autumn internationals amid tension with Townsend, before being recalled midway through the series in November to hugely impressive effect.<\/p>\n
The coach and talisman also had a well-documented fall-out in early 2020 but they appear to have finally found a genuine sense of harmony since Russell\u2019s recall almost 11 months ago.<\/p>\n
The player reported that their relationship remains in good order amid the intensity of a World Cup campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, it\u2019s been good,\u201d he said. \u201cI think that\u2019s all behind us now, thankfully.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s been 11 years I\u2019ve worked with Gregor now so to have a couple of bumps in the road is not that bad.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re both on the same page, as we have been all summer, and throughout the Six Nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just about making sure we continue on this journey we\u2019re on and try to get the win at the weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
As well as being the team\u2019s outstanding talent, Russell is also now one of Townsend\u2019s vice-captains.<\/p>\n
The Bath-bound fly-half is relishing the responsibility of leading the Scots into one of their biggest games in years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think for me to be able to manage the boys and try to keep us on track throughout the week and in the game is going to be really important,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s easy to say it\u2019s just another week but it\u2019s not because it\u2019s knockout rugby now for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be a little bit more pressure but I\u2019ve been in this situation before with Scotland where we\u2019ve had knockout games and other big games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scotland were described by former player John Jeffrey as having the strongest squad in their history when they arrived at the World Cup a month ago, although such hype was offset by a realisation that they were sharing a pool with Ireland and South Africa, who entered the tournament as the two highest-ranked sides in the world.<\/p>\n
Russell knew it was always going to be a tall order to progress but he admits it would be galling to go out at the first hurdle at a time when the Scots are ranked fifth on the planet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019ve done as a team over the past 12 to 18 months, to get ourselves into this position, it would be so frustrating and disappointing if we don\u2019t manage to get out of the group,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot on the line for both teams but the message I\u2019ll be driving is not to think too much about the outcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust stick to the process, be ourselves, be confident, and play to our strengths and take our chances.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt will be tough to beat Ireland by eight points. They obviously don\u2019t concede any soft tries and they\u2019re very disciplined.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will potentially be down to our defence to hold them out whilst also taking our chances.\u201d<\/p>\n