Finn Sharp On His Comeback

THE much-maligned BT Premiership got more than its usual amount of media coverage this week, mainly because Finn Russell made his comeback, following his horrendous head knock against Connach last season, by turning out at stand-off for Ayr at Hawick.

Happily, this gave Finn a chance to line-up alongside wee brother Archie, for the first time; Ayr's win was a bonus for the Russells. The game also brought a rare sighting of Vern Cotter at a Premiership match, the demob-happy Scotland coach was there, as was successor Gregor Townsend, who has better cause to be checking out his play-maker's progress.

I was elsewhere, but, caught the game on Scottish Rugby's You Tube channel. Finn played well, he didn't shirk the physical stuff – any ten willing to tackle the rampaging Bruce McNeil has to be up for the challenge, mainly kicked beautifully and made one or two trademark snipes.

I do not, however, think he is yet 100%. Finn has adopted the Peter Cech ploy of donning a scrum cap, as perhaps mental underpinning after his knock. I sensed, from the number of times he was seen to tug at it, or take it off and put it back on, getting used to wearing it, to the extent he does not notice, may be Finn's biggest problem. I would suggest, he might even be better not wearing it.

The Scottish Rugby TV coverage was quite good, injured Ayr captain Pete McCallum was in good form as a summariser and, there were some fine passages of play. On this form, the Green Machine is starting to find its feet, but, there are one or two in there who would never have got near a green shirt in years past.

I was at Old Anniesland, where Hawks brought Watsonians down to earth with a bang. One Edinburgh commentator tried to make much of Hawks having three full-time professionals to 'Sonians' one – totally overlooking the fact it was the Glasgow youngsters who made the difference. George Horne and Grant Stewart were stick-outs for Hawks, while Kerr Gossman's try for them some 70 seconds into the second half was a thing of outrageous class and beauty.

Saturday was my first in the flesh look at new Warrior Tijuee Uanivi, who was playing lock for Hawks. He didn't impose himself on the game, but, Leone Nakarawa had a couple of outings for Hawks when he first arrived, without giving any indication of what a great player he was, so, here's hoping with “Chewy”, as the Namibian has been christened.

This coming week sees THE biggest match of the season so far, when leaders Melrose travel to second-placed Ayr. It is maybe a bit early to dub this a title decider, but, these two sides are already the likeliest to win the Premiership. It should be an epic.

GLASGOW, are having a bit of a back-row crisis, they were so-stretched, 18-year-old Matt Fagerson was with the squad in Cardiff as cover. Losing narrowly to a resurgent Cardiff is no disgrace, and, the secret in this league is making these losses rarities.

Edinburgh, meanwhile, continue to infuriate. There is something seriously wrong at that club just now. They never looked like beating Leinster, who, now they have Stuart Lancaster backing-up the relatively inexperienced Leo Cullen in the coaches' box, will be real contenders this season.