Scotland Rugby News Mercurial Scotland fly half Finn Russell looks to be leaving Glasgow Warriors after the coming season in a move engineered by former Scotland Head Coach Vern Cotter.
The fan favourite, who has been called up to the Lions squad as cover following his try scoring performance in Saturday’s 24-19 win over the Wallabies, has reportedly signed a pre-contract with French Top 14 outfit Montpellier. The move would see him reunited with former Scotland Head Coach Vern Cotter, who was ushered out of the national job to make room for Gregor Townsend.
The 24 year old playmaker has been with the Warriors since he was 18 and in those 6 years he has gone on to become arguably Scotland’s MVP, with a runners up spot in this year’s Six Nations Player of the Year vote cementing his place as one of Europe’s most exciting players.
If true, this will be seen a huge loss for the Warriors and to the SRU who have been desperate to hold onto Russell, Stuart Hogg and Jonny Gray in particular. There will be cover in the form of 20 year Adam Hastings who has just joined from Bath, but with only a handful of top-flight games under his belt, new Glasgow Head Coach Dave Rennie will be hoping the young fly half can learn as much as he can in the next 12 months.
Many will see the move as sweet revenge from Cotter who, according to various reports, was barely thanked for his time at the helm of the national team – despite the fact he led Scotland to their most successful season in almost 20 years. However, an act of revenge does not ring true with the dignified and thoughtful man that many in Scottish rugby have come to know. His last laugh has surely come in the fact that he’s now the top paid coach in world rugby, on an estimated €1 million a year care of billionaire owner Mohed Altrad.
It looks like Russell will also benefit from the rich owner’s deep pockets, with the Scotsman reporting the offer at at least double what he’s on at Scotstoun. But the playmaker cannot expect to get it all his own way, with All Black fly half Aaron Cruden joining the club this summer.
Sad to see him leave but ultimately rugby is his job – who wouldn’t like more money? Good luck in France.
He only has one career. Got to make the most of it. It also opens a spot for an up and coming young fellow in Glasgow!!
Will help his overall game and see him on the 1st plane to SA in 4 years rather than a late call up! Shame for Glasgow but with the 20s also doing well it will broaden the pool we can pick from. Best of luck.
Why the surprise? Rugby is a professional game and players have to take the opperchancities to cash in on their talents.
Good luck to him.
Just hope he gets the game time. Good move if he can and I’m sure with cotter at the helm he will.
Sad to see him go, but can’t blame him. Good luck.
Good luck to Finn
Challenging Cruden for a spot will only help raise his game to the next level. A great opportunity for him and one that presents him with an enormous challenge. Good move for Finn & a good move for Scottish rugby.
Russell is the best 10 Scotland have produced in a very long time indeed. If he gets the game time, a move to France can only continue to develop and push him as a player. Best of luck to him, and good to see him get the cash.
More concerning is the rumours about Cotter being barely thanked by the SRU. This seems strange in the Dodson era – I can credit the McKie-run SRU as being petty and spiteful, but I thought all was happy in the new SRU?
Will he still play for Scotland National team?
It’s a blow for Scotland and GW but who can blame Vern. He built that Scottish team, improving in every department including self belief. Supporters were very disappointed at his departure and particularly the attitude of the SRU. If it’s true best wishes Finn , hope all goes well for you.
how much is he earning?
As a Glasgow fan, it’s bad news, but I hope it works out well for Finn, Vern and Scotland. Chance for Horne to shine…
Finn is nowhere near his best, still got a lot of maturing and learning to go. This is a good move, much as I hate to see GW lose him! I’ll look forward to watching him play when Montpellier come to play at Brive, my French TOP14 local team.
By reading these comments of good luck, I understand ( I knew this to be honest ) that scottish people are intelligent and friendly.Sorry for my poor english, but believe me, in France people have a good feeling about Scotland and his people (the same for the irish). Good luck for Finn and long live to Scotland.Amitié de France.