In the early afternoon sunshine at the Stade de France, Finn Russell could be seen kicking and catching a ball as he walked nonchalantly through lines of Scotland team-mates engaged in an energetic warm-up.
While the others jumped over mini hurdles, side-stepped poles or sprinted to back and forth to the 22 metre line, Russell rarely broke his stride, stopping only to chatter with the likes of his midfield partner Sione Tuipulotu.
If there was no sign of the swagger he keeps for the white heat of Test matches, there was no doubting who the main man was in a Scotland team not short on self-belief that they can create an upset against Ireland on Saturday.
Yet perceptions can mislead. For Russell is no longer the high-maintenance mercurial talent who at times appeared more interested in throwing a ‘worldy’ pass without regard for the impact on his team if it went wrong.
Warren Gatland, from when he was head coach of the British and Irish Lions on the tour of New Zealand in 2017, recalls the Scotland fly-half attempting to chip the ball out of his 22 after being called into the squad as one of the ‘Geography Six’.
“One of the conditioners on the side of the pitch shouted to him: ‘What are you doing?’” recalled Gatland. “Finn just shrugged his shoulders and replied: ‘I was just having a go.’”
At times that carefree attitude – on and off the pitch – took a strain on his relationship with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, from a public fall-out in 2020 over a late-night drinking session and breakdown in communication, to Townsend’s decision to initially leave him out of last year’s autumn campaign because of form.
Yet a combination of growing maturity, fatherhood and a significant improvement in his relationship with Townsend has transformed the Bath-bound fly-half’s game and influence on the Scotland squad.
If he retains the on-field swagger, and his favourite word remains “chilled”, insiders within the Scotland squad say he is regarded as a key leader within the group.
His evolution from a rebel to a player who now utterly embraces the cause has been remarkable.
Russell’s style of play may contrast starkly with Johnny Sexton’s organised brilliance, but the pair share the same vividly competitive spirit. Some believe his maturity comes from a realisation that at 31, he is now determined to squeeze the most out of his career.
Often there comes a point in the career of a player blessed with the innate talents of Russell that they realise they can no longer rely on their skills alone. The players that go on to become greats do so because of hard work, homework and a total commitment to their conditioning.
He is famed for his spatial awareness, laser-accurate passing and footballing ability, but it is less known that he now spends hours on his laptop, eager to also devour the analysis provided for his midfield partners, Tuipulotu and Huw Jones.
“Finn as a leader has grown so much,” said Pierre Schoeman, the Scotland prop. He does all the homework of our centre pairing with Sione as well.
“In the two years I have played for Scotland or represented the group, he is one of the best leaders there is.”
The visible leadership comes from his commitment to training, and in embracing new players to the squad, such as rookie fly-half Ben Healy. “He is a great connector,” said one source.
And if he still relishes the big stage, any sense of a ‘big-time Charlie’ attitude has long gone.
When he was recently punished at a weekly fines’ meeting and he rolled the dice to discover his sanction, it revealed he would have to get up at 7am to make coffees for the management team. Most expected he would attempt to find a way out of it. Yet the following morning, he was down, offering up Americanos or Cappuccinos to Townsend and his staff.
Family support has also been key. On Russell’s birthday, he spent the day before Scotland’s 45-17 victory against Tonga watching his brother Archie play for Monaco and his family have attended his games.
Perhaps the greatest pointer to his new-found role has been his appointment to Scotland’s leadership group. A player once at loggerheads with Townsend has now twice captained Scotland in Jamie Ritchie’s absence.
Now, he faces perhaps the biggest challenge of his career. South Africa managed to contain his attacking threat, with their blitz defence taking away the space to exploit. Ireland will no doubt look to do the same, knowing their opponents have the added pressure of requiring a win by eight points or more.
Russell is ready. “These are the games why you play rugby,” he said. “To play at the highest level with everything on the line. For both teams it’s all or nothing. I know we’ve got to beat Ireland by eight points for us to qualify, but there’s always a chance of things happening.”
