It's a head-to-head that has rugby supporters
salivating. Finn Russell, Scotland's creative
genius, against Johnny s*xton, the Irishman
regarded by many as currently the greatest No 10
in the world.
As two of the greatest stand-offs in Scottish
rugby history, then, there are few better placed to
discuss Saturday's battle royal at BT Murrayfield
than John Rutherford and Craig Chalmers.
Both won the Grand Slam with Scotland,
Rutherford in 1984 and Chalmers in 1990. Both
are British and Irish Lions. Both can't wait to
watch the action unfold at Murrayfield. Here,
speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, the legendary
Scotland stars analyse the much-anticipated
clash between Russell and s*xton.
Scotland's creative genius Finn Russell
Johnny s*xton is regarded by many as currently
the greatest No 10 in the world
As former Scotland and British and Irish Lions
tens, how much are you both looking forward to
watching two of the best stand-offs in world
rugby going head to head?
Rutherford: I can't wait for it. It is going to be
some occasion. Both are world class on their day
and I expect them to rise to the occasion at the
weekend.
Chalmers: It will be a terrific match up.
Both had contrasting fortunes in their opening
Six Nations games. s*xton struggled against
England. Gregor Townsend said the game against
Italy was one of Russell's best ever in a Scotland
jersey. Will they go into the match on Saturday
with very different confidence levels because of
that?
Rutherford: I was pleased Gregor Townsend made
a point of saying that about Finn.
He doesn't seem to ever get too high or low
regardless of how he plays but praise is much
better to hear than criticism.
As for s*xton, he is experienced enough to put
his poor performance against England down to a
bad day at the office. He will bounce back against
Scotland.
Chalmers: The England pack really got in the face
of s*xton at the weekend and he had a poor
game but, as they say, form is temporary and
class is permanent. Having a bad game won't
affect him. If anything, it is bad for Scotland as
s*xton will be desperate to make up for that at
Murrayfield.
s*xton will be desperate to make up for poor
game against England, says Craig Chalmers
Starting with Russell, can you analyse his and
s*xton's performances on the opening weekend
of the Six Nations?
Rutherford: Finn didn't make any howlers, which
as a previous ten myself I know can happen, so
to get through 77 minutes before he came off in
the first game of a major tournament without
putting a foot wrong is a bonus.
He put his team in good positions and helped set
up tries. Some of his kicking game didn't come to
anything but he was always putting pressure on
his opponent by getting them turning in defence
with his kicks. He was steady when needed and
burst into life at just the right times.
Chalmers: I was very impressed by the way he
played. His cross kick for Blair Kinghorn's try and
his grubber kick for Stuart Hogg's were top
drawer.
He made very good decisions and didn't try to
force things, which he used to do a bit. I agree
with Gregor Townsend. That was one of his best-
ever performances for Scotland.
Remember, though, it was against Italy where he
had more space and time than he will get against
Ireland.
No respect to the Italians but it is a huge step up
for Finn against Ireland.
And s*xton?
Rutherford: The English forwards had him rattled
from kick-off and he never recovered. They were
in his face and never let him settle.
He tried everything he could to make an impact
but never got enough good ball. His forwards
didn't protect him enough in defence and he was
rushed with everything he did.
Chalmers: When he had his pass intercepted by
Henry Slade for England's last try, it showed how
frustrated he had become. It was very unlike
s*xton to throw a pass like that. He was under
pressure and was trying to make things happen
for his team. That is never a good position to be
in as a fly-half.
Finn didn't make any howlers in Scotland's
match against Italy, according to John Rutherford
Who is in the best form going into the match?
Rutherford: Based on that first game only, it is
Russell but obviously it is not comparing like for
like. Ireland played England, Scotland played
Italy.
Don't forget s*xton has had just one bad game in
a match where Ireland struggled. He was not
alone in not reaching his full potential in Dublin.
Chalmers: I don't think it matters who is in the
best form. Both know they are starting afresh.
Just because Finn has a good game against Italy
and Johnny a bad one against England doesn't
change anything. It is a new game on Saturday.
In terms of number tens, what does Russell have
that s*xton doesn't and vice versa?
Rutherford: They are very different players with
their own different skills sets.
To be honest, and I hope Craig doesn't mind me
saying this, I think Finn is more like me and
Johnny s*xton is more like Craig.
I love watching Finn when he is on a roll. He has
quick hands, a good rugby brain and he likes
joining the attack even more than I did!
He is a more naturally gifted rugby player than
s*xton by a long way but s*xton's game
management is a lot better.
Chalmers: I totally agree that he is more similar
to John than me in his style of play. Finn plays
off the cuff a lot and releases his backs a lot just
like John used to do. He is a very good
distributor.
His passing game is outstanding and he is now
adding his kicking game to it.
He has always been a brave defender, although a
lot of people haven't noticed that.
Me, I am more like s*xton. Game management
was my big strength and I used to like bossing
players around a lot! s*xton shouts at players
where he wants them to go. He makes sure
Ireland's tactical plan is followed. He is like a
chess master at times with the way he moves his
players around the park.
s*xton is like a chess master at times with way
he moves players around pitch, says Chalmers
Bearing that in mind, is it a concern that s*xton
could boss the match against Scotland unless he
is stopped from getting into his stride?
Rutherford: I suppose it will be a concern to a
degree but no more than any other game.
That's because you have to remember Russell
and s*xton can't win games on their own. It all
depends on the forwards.
Your stand-off can shape a game, even if you are
not winning 50 per cent of possession, but once
you get down to say 40 per cent it is really hard
for him to make an impact.
The Scotland forwards can keep Johnny quiet by
getting to him early and rattling him like the
English forwards did. Get Jamie Ritchie flying out
of the back row and into him early on.
Chalmers: Whatever team you are playing for, if
you don't have a platform you will struggle at ten.
To try to force it off slow ball to make things
happen is a dangerous thing to do.
That is when your ten starts making mistakes.
s*xton had a year at Racing 92 earlier in his
career but didn't settle and returned to Leinster
where he became a better player. Russell moved
to Racing 92 in the summer. Do you think it has
made him a better player?
Rutherford: Absolutely. Finn has been fantastic
since his move to France. He has played a lot of
rugby for them in his first season and has a
fantastic partnership with their winger Simon
Zebo.
That pair try a lot of things others wouldn't and
invariably they come off.
I am sure his understanding with Zebo at club
level gave him confidence to try things like that
fantastic kick-pass that set up Blair Kinghorn for
his try against Italy.
Rutherford says Finn has been fantastic since his
move to French side Racing 92
Chalmers: I was a bit concerned about him going
to France. I was concerned, especially with their
other ten Pat Lambie being injured and now
having been forced to retire, he would be forced
to play a lot.
Yes, that has happened but he has taken it in his
stride and, as John said, has found a kindred
spirit in Simon Zebo.
Moving to France took him out of his comfort
zone, helped him mature as a player and really
helped in his development.
When s*xton went to Racing 92 a few years back,
it was a different coaching set up and they were
early in their development as a club.
Just because he didn't settle there didn't make
him a bad player as he has shown since he
moved back to Ireland.
So who is the better player and why?
Rutherford: s*xton is the best fly-half in world
rugby but remember he is further down the track
than Finn Russell.
He is 33 years old. Finn is just 26. Finn's best
years are ahead of him.
Chalmers: Johnny just now but it could be Finn
one day. Maybe he can show he isn't far away
from becoming the best fly-half in world rugby
through his display against Ireland at the
weekend.
source:
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