Finn Russell has dismissed claims that time could be running out for him to win silverware with Scotland — insisting he feels as fresh as ever heading into the Six Nations.
The 32-year-old fly-half will look to inspire the Scots to victory when they host Italy in their opening match at Murrayfield. Russell is now in the prime of his career, with his performances at club level helping Bath sit top of the English Premiership.
But it has been a different story with the national team, with an inconsistent Scotland side often flattering to deceive over recent years.
Some critics have suggested that time could be running out if Gregor Townsend’s side are finally to fulfil their potential and win a Six Nations title.
Russell has consistently rejected any talk of retirement and has stated previously that he feels confident he can play on until the next World Cup in 2027 at the very least.
He insists that he doesn’t feel any added pressure despite the fact he may now only have a few years left at the top level.
Finn Russell, 32, rejects claims that he is running out of time to win a trophy with Scotland
Russell says he plays in the moment and hasn’t given any thought to when he might retire
Russell says players such as Blair Kinghorn have brought a new mindset to the Scotland squad
‘I’ve still got plenty left,’ said Russell. ‘People ask that question: “How many more? Is it starting to play on your mind?”
‘I don’t think it is. If I start looking and thinking I’ve only got a few [chances] left, then is that going to affect how I’m playing?
‘I think I just need to keep trying to do my best to win every year, whether I was 25 or 32, I just need to keep doing what I can do to help this team win.
‘If I start looking at it as if I finish up in a few years’ time, then what will happen if I didn’t win anything, I’d sort of believe in that [as if it was going to happen].
‘I just think just play in the moment, play the season that’s here, the games that are here and not to look too far ahead.
‘But I’m not really thinking about the future in terms of retiring or finishing up with Scotland any time soon.
‘I’m not too stressed. It [winning silverware] is not something I’m putting stress or pressure on myself to make it happen and act differently.
‘Hopefully I’ve got another few years left. There’s still time, but it doesn’t take away how much we want to win it. I don’t need that added stress or pressure on myself or the boys.’
Scotland will start as strong favourites to beat an Italy side who have made significant strides over the past couple of years.
The Azzurri beat Scotland and Wales in last year’s championship, and came within a whisker of beating France as they drew 13-13 in Lille.
Russell freely admits it’s the best Italy team he has ever faced throughout his career, but is confident Scotland are now primed to challenge.
‘It’s the best and strongest Italian team that I’ve faced,’ said Russell, who will co-captain Scotland alongside Rory Darge in the absence of Sione Tuipulotu.
‘But it’s definitely one of the strongest Scotland teams I’ve been involved in as well. There’s great strength and depth in the majority of positions, so I think it is a great Scottish team and Scottish squad that we’ve got.
‘If you look at the squad we’ve got, Glasgow won the league last year. Blair [Kinghorn] won the double last year with Toulouse, at Bath we were close.
‘But that’s a lot of experience to take from. It’s only one title and a couple for Blair obviously, but you take a lot of experience from winning and what builds a winning team culture.
‘I wouldn’t say it’s something that we’ve spoken about and made a conscious effort to change. I think it’s just kind of happened naturally.
‘Out of the boys that are playing and in the squad this weekend, there’s more than half of us that have been either in finals or won finals over the last year.
‘So I think that’s definitely changed. I think that’s probably changed the mindset and it’s a great thing.
‘In the past, you think what it’s like to win. A lot of boys hadn’t won anything and now we’ve got half the team that’s won stuff. So I think the mindset has changed in a really good way and a positive way.’
In terms of off-field matters, Russell believes rugby has missed an opportunity to market itself to a new audience as plans for a third season of the Netflix Six Nations series look set to be scrapped.
Netflix are now understood to be ploughing their budgets into more live sporting events, such as boxing, the NFL and WWE wrestling.
The format of the Six Nations series, which is broadcast a year down the line after it was filmed, has been unpopular with fans.
But Russell believes a lack of access behind the scenes was also partly to blame.
‘The Netflix series I think helps show that other side of rugby and the players,’ said Russell. ‘It’s good for the sport to grow.
‘I’m not sure how much access they got behind the scenes and how much they were allowed to do through the different unions.
‘I’m pretty relaxed about most things, so I’m like: “Well, why not just let them see everything”. I think that was good for this sport, so it’s a shame that they’re not doing another one.’