'Gregor and I get on better than we ever have done before' - Finn Russell

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell says the renewed relationship with head coach Gregor Townsend has helped his game.

Russell was dropped by Townsend for the Six Nations 2020 tournament for an alleged late-night drinking session at team hotel.

Even though the pair worked on their relationship during the lockdown, Russell was once again omitted in the initial autumn internationals squad last year and was later recalled following an injury to Adam Hastings.

“Before I came back in the autumn, Gregor called me on the Saturday or Sunday night,” the Racing 92 fly-half defined. “I said to him before I came back in that I’d like for me and him to chat through a few things, not in terms of the stuff outside rugby, more the rugby side of it.

“There were a few things I may not have been happy with, or he might not have been happy with.

“It wasn’t a case of clearing the air, it was more about us getting back on the same page and being open and honest with each other as to where he is at mentally with his game-plan and how he wants things to run, and me having my input and saying what I think as well.

“Me and Gregor are in a much better place now than where we were a year ago. We are on the same page and I’m allowed to express myself. Not that I wasn’t before but I think the way that me and Gregor are working together is really helping me.

“I think Gregor and I get on better than we ever have done before. It’s not just us chatting about rugby, him being the coach and me being the player. It’s more just us chatting away and getting to know each other. We are both on the same page now and have a good relationship.”

Scotland now have defeated England and Wales in the opening two rounds of the tournament and are at second place in the table behind Ireland.