Finn Russell has unfinished business with the British & Irish Lions — and he’s not hiding it.
The Scotland maestro helped steer Bath to their first Premiership crown in four decades this season, but now his eyes are fixed on something even bigger: redemption in red in Australia 2025.
RUCK’s Lions content is powered by ISUZU.
Why? Because for all his brilliance, Russell’s previous Lions tours haven’t gone how he’d like.
Back in 2017, he was part of the infamous “Geography Six” — a last-minute group drafted in mid-tour to face the Chiefs and Hurricanes in New Zealand. Alongside Allan Dell, Tomas Francis, Kristian Dacey, Corey Hill, and Gareth Davies, they were seen by many as little more than tackle-bag holders — shipped in not for merit, but convenience.
Even Lions boss Warren Gatland admitted they were picked because they were nearby — Russell and Dell were in Australia with Scotland, the rest in New Zealand with Wales. English players, despite being on tour in Argentina, were snubbed. It didn’t sit well with everyone.
Joe Marler famously refused to be subbed in one game, denying Dell a proper crack. The irony? Marler’s yellow card meant Dell got on anyway — as did Russell.
Fast forward to 2021, and Russell was on the proper Lions squad for South Africa — but a cruel Achilles injury saw him play just one match: a dazzling cameo off the bench in the third Test, ultimately in a losing cause, in front of empty stands thanks to Covid.
Now? He wants more.
“This time, we need to gel quickly,” said Russell, who’ll head Down Under with partner Emma, daughters Charlie and Skye, and his mum Sally. “You only win a Lions series if the group’s tight – off the pitch and on it.”
“The coaches might have a team scribbled down on paper, but I think they will wait to see how the boys all go with each other, how they’ll fit into the system.
“I don’t know what the system’s going to be yet, similar to the Ireland system maybe, which would be fine to work in, but I haven’t worked in that shape.
“We have a few games before the Test matches to work on things.”
With his attacking flair and renewed focus, Russell is primed to finally write his own legacy in Lions red — not as a last-minute call-up, not as an injured understudy — but as a Test starter, and a series winner.
Did you know Finn Russell started out as a stonemason?
Before turning professional, Russell completed an apprenticeship in stonemasonry while playing club rugby—proof of his humble roots before making it big on the international stage.
He said: “On rainy days it could be pretty miserable. . . . It could be tough but I enjoyed it. I’d be making windowsills, door frames, fire places – even building walls. But compared to playing rugby, it’s night and day. If I ever have a bad day at training, I think back to what it was like working in that cold shed.”
EDITORS PICKS:
Four Lions players who flopped against Argentina in tour opener
#1. Luke Cowan-Dickie
Planet Rugby 4/10: “Did brilliantly wiggle through the tackles of Joaquin Oviedo and Juan Martin González but split the ball with the line begging. His lineout throws were wayward which severely disrupted the Lions’ flow. He was part of an excellent scrummaging effort, though.”
Rugby Pass 5/10: “A fumble cost him the opening try of the 2025 Lions series off a Lions catch and drive. A few too many lineout howlers from the Cornishman, his Bluetooth connection with Itoje looking a tad unstable.”
JOE 5/10: “An error-strewn performance. Dropped the ball over the line in the first half.”
Like this:
Like Loading…