Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is in regular contact with Finn Russell, but the whole focus of the squad is on Fiji this weekend and not the omitted stand-off.
Forwards coach John Dalziel said that Townsend and Russell had “a really good conversation” about the squad selection and the reasons for it, but there was faith going forward in Blair Kinghorn and Adam Hastings.
Russell stars again in France
Three passes in three phases from Finn Russell to tee up a Racing try against Brive.
First, this flat, fizzing pass gives them momentum after a scrappy lineout win. pic.twitter.com/waq5tBxxg1
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) October 31, 2022
Russell has had two man of the match performances in the French Top 14 for his club Racing 92 on the last two weekends. He led Racing to back-to-back wins including a personal record of 23 points against Brive.
Dalziel agreed that Russell’s form had been pleasing.
“It’s great to see the last two weekends, Finn’s played so well,” said the assistant coach. “He has reacted in exactly the right manner.
“I know Gregor and Finn speak regularly. They had a good conversation around the make-up of the squad and the reasoning for the original selection.
“There are 10-12 guys who are in the squad who haven’t been able to play as yet. So there’s lots of players we’ve been monitoring over the last weekend.
“Adam missed out in selection at the 6N and missed out with injury in the summer. He’s been in fantastic form as well, and the frustration last week was that we weren’t able to see him with that test being outside the window.
“Ross Thompson had a real emergence during the summer tour. This campaign, this part of the building block is about building depth around that area as well.”
Pressure ‘comes with the job’
🔁 Squad Update:
Jamie Hodgson comes into our @nationsseries squad to replace Sam Skinner, who suffered an injury in the game against Australia. pic.twitter.com/xC7wn5qbwh
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 1, 2022
The discussion around Russell didn’t add on the pressure on the squad, he added.
“The pressure comes with the job, wanting to perform for the people who sell out Murrayfield every week,” added Dalziel. “Australia hurt, but that match could have gone either way at the end.
“Nothing external to the camp has affected the lads. We’re focused, we have a good culture in the squad. Today’s session was maybe the best we’ve had in my two years here.
“We’re ready to bounce back against Fiji this weekend.”
Kinghorn was “a resilient lad” who had already bounced back from the late penalty miss that could have won Saturday’s game against Australia.
“Blair’s an excellent professional,” continued Dalziel. “He works harder than anyone, he’s always out there.
“He’s bounced right back. He knew straight away what he needed to do technically better with the kick, and he’s been working on that with Chris Paterson, as he does every day.
“Blair’s had big moments, and we’ve seen he’s capable of those with that try he scored. He repeats that on a regular basis.”
Hodgson called up as Skinner departs
Scotland have been forced to call up Edinburgh’s Jamie Hodgson as second row cover after Sam Skinner’s foot injury turned out to be a minor fracture that will require rest for four to six weeks.
The 26-year-old from Livingston has six caps in the year since his debut in last year’s opening Autumn Test against Tonga.
Scotland do have to more familiar options for the second row with Jonny Gray available again this week and brother Richie Gray clearing the 12-day concussion protocol at the weekend.
The veteran 33-year-old, who last started a Scotland international in 2017, is set to go straight into the team against Fiji this weekend.