Finn Russell agrees that Scotland have a point to prove at this autumn’s World Cup in France following their flop in Japan four years ago – but his motivation levels won’t be driven by the possibility that this may be his last chance to represent his country on the game’s biggest stage because he has no intention of following his pal Stuart Hogg into retirement any time soon.
“I’m only 30 so I’ve still got another two World Cups in me I reckon!” quipped the talismanic stand-off. “The way Hoggy played, he was different as a full-back to me as a number 10. So, I’m not looking at this World Cup as my last, it’s just the next one.
“I’ve got a three-year contract at Bath so that will take me not far away from the next World Cup and then I’ll see how I’m feeling at that time."
This will be Russell’s third World Cup and having spent five years living and playing in France with Racing 92 before moving to Bath at the end of last season, he is convinced that the tournament will provide a stage to complement his showman instincts.
“I’d imagine all the stadiums are going to be sold out,” he said. “I know what the fans are like there, and I’d like to think every game will have a really good atmosphere and there will be a lot of hype around it.
“For me, I find that good fun. That’s why you play rugby, to be in these big games, these big moments, with crowds either getting on your back or getting behind you.
“It is different for each player, obviously, and for some boys it might be their first World Cup after just a handful of caps, whereas for myself it is my third one.
“So, I’m looking forward to it, but as one of the most experienced players in the team I’ll have to manage that in terms of catching up with some of the other boys who might not be used to it.
“It’s about having a feel for the team and how it is going, but I think it should be great fun.”
