Finn Russell has been likened to two of rugby’s greatest players as he prepares to go head-to-head with Mathieu Jalibert for the first time since taking the bragging rights in the Six Nations.
Bookmakers make Jalibert odds-on to get his own back on Russell and avenge France’s defeat to Scotland eight weeks ago when Bordeaux host Bath on Sunday in the semi-finals of the Investec Champions Cup.
But have they under-estimated the influence of Russell who, in the past year, has inspired Scotland to a record 50-point win over France, beaten England, lifted the Gallagher PREM and European Challenge Cup and led the British and Irish Lions to series glory in Australia.
Finn Russell compared to Springboks legends
Planet Rugby sought the views of four of the sport’s big names: Bath director of rugby Johann van Graan, former Lions star Anthony Watson, ex-England fly-half Olly Barkley and French-based ex-Scotland star Johnnie Beattie.
“What I like about Finn is he wants the ball in big games,” said Van Graan, who recruited Russell and has transformed the club, taking it from bottom of the PREM to champions of England in the space of three years.
“I’ve been very privileged to coach a few players like that. Fourie de Preez always wanted the ball, be it in a Super Rugby final or the World Cup final itself.
“Another that comes to mind is Bryan Habana. In the very big games, he wanted the ball, he wanted to influence the outcome, not leave it to others. I would put Conor Murray in that bracket too, during my time at Munster.
“Finn is certainly one of the premier players in the world, but one of his greatest strengths is he’s also one of the best team men around. He will always put the team first. That’s maybe the secret of our group. We’re all in it together.”
Bath Hall of Famer’s take
Bath have a history of top number 10s, from John Horton to Stuart Barnes and Mike Catt through to George Ford, Butch James and Barkley. The latter returned to the club last week to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He is in no doubt about the value Russell brings to the blue, black and whites.
“For me, he’s been a huge, huge reason the club is performing the way it is,” Barkley said. “Bath have a super solid nine in Ben Spencer and they’ve someone completely mercurial and a cut above the rest in terms of class in Finn.
“Bath have had some great 10s down the years. Barnesy and Catty did wonderful things in the shirt over a number of years. Finn has only been at the club two seasons but already I’d put him right up with the best of them.
“He has that rare ability to produce moments of magic all over the pitch and single-handedly win a game.”
Watson played against Russell on numerous occasions at international level. Like Barkley, he cannot wait to see the Stirling-born ace lock horns with Jalibert.
“If I had to choose between them for my team I would take Russell over Jalibert,” he said. “Across the Six Nations, I thought Jalibert probably played a little bit better, but he played better from an individual perspective, doing a lot of amazing stuff on his own.
“Finn played the role of fly-half better, in terms of distribution and putting his team in the right areas. And was more consistent.
“He has the ability to create magic on his own. Equally, he can allow a back line to properly tick and function and do the stuff that doesn’t get headlines, which is ironic because the stigma attached to him for so many years was that he was a maverick.”
Champions Cup semi-final showdown
So to Sunday’s game, for which the 42,100-capacity Stade Atlantique Bordeaux Métropole sold out in hours for the fixture between the holders of Europe’s two cup competitions.
Bordeaux are hot favourites to advance to the May 22 final in Bilbao, where either Leinster or Toulon will provide the opposition. But will what Russell did to France at Murrayfield play on Jalibert’s mind? Is there any relevance?
“I guess the answer is yes if you’re digging into the one-upmanship that comes with competitive sports people on the biggest stages,” said Beattie, who spent eight years playing in the French rugby for Montpellier, Castres and Bayonne.
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“France have just won the Six Nations but didn’t manage a Grand Slam because Scotland, in one of the best games of rugby I’ve ever seen, stuck 50 points on them. That stings, no matter who you are.
“Jalibert is a Six Nations winner and a European champion now looking to defend that title. Bordeaux have been so good, so consistent and so impressive in every single facet of their game that maybe it doesn’t come into it.
“I think the main objective for both will be a big old win and lining up a Champions Cup final for their club. But these are competitive guys.
“Probably, somewhere in the back of their heads there is a little bit of that individualism and one-upmanship. But it won’t be taking up too much space.”