Am I Bothered? Suis-je Dérangé? Might Be Finn's Reaction To His Omission From The Squad

JUST A THOUGHT – maybe Finn Russell isn't particularly bothered about his omission from the Scotland squad for the Autumn Internationals.

He turned 30 last month, he is approaching the conclusion of his Racing 92 contract and, at that age – his next contract will almost-certainly be the last for which he can demand a star's salary.

Apparently, he enjoys the French lifestyle, so, if he is not going to be missing for half the season because of international calls, he is a more-attractive recruitment possible to other French sides, or possibly in following Greig Laidlaw from French to Japanese Rugby; while not going off to Scotland games will also help him if he wishes to negotiate a contract extension with Racing.

Possible Lions selection for the next tour, to Australia in 2025 is another factor. There is, however, the potential here for Gregor Townsend, if his coaching star has not been eclipsed before then, to be named as Head Coach – given he was Attack Coach last time out.

In this stooshie between the Russell supporters and the Toony ones – I reckon Finn holds the better hand, however, one thing is certain the Russell/Townsend Relationship, or lack of one, will be a talking point for a wee while to come.

REGULAR readers of this pish will not reminding, I consider the SRU's Communications Department, and in particular its Honcho 'Buddy the Elf'' to be as much use as a chocolate teapot. That having been said, I have to congratulate them on being the first to reveal what is happening around the Team GB Sevens programme, which will go forward to contest the World Rugby/HSBC Sevens Series, the Sevens World Cup and the Olympic Games.

Team GB's website had nothing on this. The RFU website – Twickenham is supposedly the leaders on this – also had nothing, but, the SRU website had chapter and verse – kudos to them.

There is a good Scottish presence. Ciaran Beattie will be 'Programme Lead' – or team manager if you like. Beattie will also be Assistant Coach to Head Coach Tony Roques, while oor ain Robbie Fergusson has been named as a Player-Coach, his coaching portion of his contract asking him to focus on technical aspects of Sevens play, working with both the Men's and Women's squads.

The 16-strong Men's core squad includes six Scots: Fergusson, Kaleem Barreto, Jamie Farndale, Paddy Kelly, Ross McCann and Max McFarland. Englishman Tom Williams is another familiar name to Scottish rugby fans, from his time with Ayrshire Bulls in Super6.

No Scottish women have been named in the women's core squad; however, only nine women have been named. Further names will be added following the conclusion of the Women's World Cup. The Men will head for Hong Kong next week, but the Women's series does not kick off until the Dubai Sevens, in early December.

Wales's Nick Wakley has been named as Head Coach of the Women's squad, but his Assistant has yet to be finalised.

Team GB is taking steps to avoid accusations of being: “England as Team GB,” while the initial training camp will be held in Loughborough, there will be further camps at Ravenscraig and in Cardiff, as the programme gets up to speed.

THERE is a small, exclusive but busy “Think Tank” associated with this site. Myself and one or two regular readers exchange emails with our ideas on the game and where it is going. We don't always agree, I should say – some of the other members don't share my enthusiasm or vision for Super6 for instance.

We have, this week, been discussing what might happen in the currently unlikely event of Toony being asked to fall on his sword, with considerable enthusiasm among our number for recruiting as Tonny's successor – Crusaders Head Coach Scott Robertson.

Robertson is from good Caledonian Diaspora stock, and he has previous Scottish experience from a season playing with Ayr. He is often touted as a possible as the next All Blacks coach, but, somehow, New Zealand rugby politics cast doubts on this happening.

He might be an option, but the AB's job will, one has to accept, always be his first choice, also, recruiting him would be an expensive move, not perhaps one which Baldrick will be keen to make in the current financial climate.

In any case, given how well Edinburgh are playing on his watch, Mike Blair has to be seen as Duke of Rothesay to King Gregor I.