Finn Russell is anticipated to be left off Scotland’s first roster for the forthcoming Autumn Nations Series.
For the first match against Australia, which takes place outside the Test window, Racing 92’s fly half cannot play.
Russell will reportedly not play in Scotland’s next matches against Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina, according to Scotland coach Gregor Townsend.
Blair Kinghorn of Edinburgh will likely get the number 10 jersey when the team is named on Wednesday.
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Since 2014, Russell has been the Scots’ first-choice fly-half. He and Townsend had sometimes had tense ties, but never as much as in 2020 when Russell, who has 56 caps, left the team before the Six Nations and openly criticized the coach’s strategies.
Russell and Townsend made up, and Russell rejoined the team. However, Townsend left Russell off the starting lineup for the Six Nations championship game against Ireland the year before, only days after he was one of six players to go on an unauthorized night out at an Edinburgh pub.
Russell and several other key players were later rested for Scotland’s summer tour to Argentina.