Finn Russell’s club Racing 92 are struggling to comprehend why Gregor Townsend decided to leave the fly-half out of his Scotland squad.
The playmaker was a shock omission for the Autumn Nations Series, with Townsend stating that it was down to form.
Blair Kinghorn, Adam Hastings and Ross Thompson were the three pivots selected by the Scots, but the latter has barely played this season.
Racing have endured a mixed start to the season, residing in eighth place in the Top 14 following four wins from eight matches.
Russell has been a consistent presence in the starting line-up, however, and according to skills and kicking coach Philippe Doussy, the 30-year-old has impressed throughout the campaign.
In the right place mentally
“We were very surprised to see him not picked, because with what he has been doing for Racing at the start of the season, for us it was natural and obvious that he would be going back to Scotland this month — logical and normal,” Doussy told The Times.
“He’s come back to Racing very relaxed this season, perhaps because he didn’t tour with Scotland in the summer and that allowed him to regenerate. Last season was an exceptionally busy one for him in the post-Covid period, starting with the Lions, then everything he did here.
“He was maybe a bit saturated, whereas at the start of this season he’s in exactly the right place, mentally above all.
“He has been absolutely transformed, also with the knowledge that he’s about to become a father. The things are surely linked. We have found an incredible Finn Russell this season.
“For us here at Racing in this first period of the season, he has been our X-factor, seriously impressive on every level — his approach to the games, in training, in his individual work and preparation.
“He has lost weight, does so much video analysis and is always looking for extras after training. Always with a smile on his face.”
Russell has also taken on the place-kicking responsibilities at Racing – previously reserved for the club’s scrum-halves – and has thrived having only missed two off the tee.
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Puts in the work
“In the past, he didn’t kick very often for us: we’ve had (Maxime) Machenaud, (Nolann) Le Garrec,” Doussy said. “But we had a meeting in pre-season about our objectives, and he was ready and willing to take on that responsibility, recognising that it was good for him, good for Racing and good for Scotland.
“He’s taken to the role like a duck to water. In the Top 14, he has 30 (successful kicks) from 32, an incredible percentage.
“He has really grasped it as a challenge, knowing he was up to it, and he has shown that on the pitch — not just in terms of precision, but distance. He has hit a couple from 52-53 metres out.
“He does 45 minutes a day of kicking with me after the main session. That’s what people perhaps don’t appreciate about Finn — the fact he puts in the work.
“With his talent, you could get away with not putting in the work and produce for one or two games. But it’s now eight Top 14 games in a row that he has carried the team on his shoulders by being technically and mentally excellent.
“If you’ve got that level of ability but you don’t put in the work, you don’t last. He produces every week because he puts in the work.”