With the 2023 Rugby World Cup on the horizon, Finn Russell has a chance to add another page to his impressive international CV.
The maverick fly-half has already written himself into the Scottish history books by inspiring his side to some of their greatest results of the professional era.
The 30-year-old has also played an important role on two British & Irish Lions Tours, and there is every chance Lion #835 could be on the plane to Australia in 2025.
With almost a decade of outrageous skills and iconic moments behind him, not to mention everything that is yet to come, let us look back at the key moments that went into the making this Lion.
A meteoric rise
In a little over a year, Russell went from a relative unknown to Scotland’s first-choice fly-half.
The then Glasgow Warriors player capped his remarkable rise on a 2014 tour of the Americas and South Africa, making his international debut in a 24-6 triumph over the United States on his way to starting two of the four Tests.
He played 60 minutes of Scotland’s 19-17 victory over Canada but did not feature in the defeats to Argentina and South Africa.
He may not have been able to test himself against two of the world’s top sides, but anyone who watched the wins against USA and Canada could see that Scotland had something special on their hands.
And by autumn 2014, he had cemented his place as his national team’s starting ten for all three of their November Tests against Argentina, New Zealand and Tonga.
Becoming Lion Number #835
Russell was not part of the initial squad for the 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour to New Zealand, but after a series of injuries, the Scotland star was called up as cover.
He became Lion number #835 after coming on for Dan Biggar in a 31-31 draw with Super Rugby champions Hurricanes.
It may have only been a brief cameo, but no player forgets their first appearance for The British & Irish Lions.
And at 24, fans could rest assured that there would be a lot more to come from him in four years’ time.
Ending a decade of Calcutta Cup heartbreak
Back on Scotland duty, Russell enjoyed a one-of-a-kind 2018.
His highlight was pulling the strings as Scotland ended ten years of hurt in the Calcutta Cup with a 25-13 win against old rivals England.
The loss was only their second in 26 Tests under head coach Eddie Jones, and Russell played a crucial role from the kicking tee and open play, including providing an outrageous pass in his own 22 that led to a Sean Maitland score.
Fans will be excited to see Finn Russell back for @Scotlandteam 🪄#AutumnNationsSeries | #SCOvNZL pic.twitter.com/dvj5hSie5w
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) November 7, 2022
Prior to his history-making performance in 2018, Scotland had not beaten England since a 15–9 triumph in 2008, winning eight and drawing one.
However, since 2018, England have won just one game against their northern neighbours, and part of that is down to Russell’s incredible talent.
A year later at Twickenham, he orchestrated a sensational comeback, as Scotland recovered from 31-0 down to draw 38-38, with Russell running the show.
Brilliant with the Barbarians
Speaking of historic performances against England, who could forget Russell’s talismanic display in the Barbarians’ unbelievable victory over Jones’ side in 2018?
The ten turned England’s defence upside down and inside out with a delightful kicking game, scoring one try and assisting another in the 63-45 success.
The match is widely regarded as one of the great Baa-Baas performances.
However, it would not have happened had it not been for Russell’s moments of magic.
Battling back from injury in South Africa
Fans of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England were all excited to see what Russell could do on the 2021 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa, only for injury to strike.
An Achilles tendon injury sidelined him with the prodigious Marcus Smith joining up with the squad as cover.
However, Russell stayed with the group and showed extraordinary resilience to come back and force his way onto the bench for the third Test in Cape Town.
And when Dan Biggar pulled up injured in the tenth minute, Warren Gatland was only ever going to turn to one man.
Russell put on a show as only he can, and despite the Lions falling to a 19-16 defeat, everyone agreed that Scotland’s ten had done himself and his country proud.
Thrown into the mix early on, how impressive was @finn_russell yesterday 🦁
Dictating tempo, starting attacks and precision kicking, it was a tasty performance from White Chocolate ⚪️🍫#LionsRugby #CastleLionsSeries #BoksvLions pic.twitter.com/QdzQTk2RCJ
— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) August 8, 2021
On top at Twickenham
Prior to Russell’s debut, Scotland had struggled to consistently beat England, either at Twickenham and at BT Murrayfield.
However, since his heroics in 2018, Russell has helped his side get the better of their old rivals time and time again.
The 2023 Guinness Six Nations was no different.
Russell helped Gregor Townsend’s team to a 29-23 victory at Twickenham, their fourth triumph in six matches against England.
It is fair to say that even the most optimistic Scotland fan would never have predicted such a run of results when Russell first donned the navy-blue shirt of Scotland back in 2014.
