Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend believes that Finn Russell is not playing well enough to be considered for their Autumn Nations Series campaign.
The Racing 92 star has been the country’s first choice fly-half over past few years, but he and Townsend have not always seen eye-to-eye.
Their relationship has broken down on a number of occasions and many are suggesting that it is the real reason behind Russell’s axing.
Despite Racing’s struggles this season, the Scottish playmaker has had to take extra responsibility for the Parisians due to the injuries they have suffered.
He is certainly playing better than Glasgow Warriors’ Ross Thompson, who has only recently returned from injury.
Development of Blair Kinghorn
“It’s really to reward form and consistency,” Townsend said. “Blair has really developed as a 10 since he moved there over a year ago and had a really good tour, got better and better in the summer, and has played really well for Edinburgh this year.
“Adam has responded very well to being left out of the squad last season. He was going to tour but picked up an injury and has been in very good form for his club Gloucester this year.
“Ross hasn’t played as many games but had an excellent season for Glasgow last year.
“For someone like Finn Russell, who has missed out on the squad and has played a lot of games for us in the past, it’s a challenge for him to show his form and consistency over the next few weeks.”
Russell is not the only star player to receive some crushing news with full-back Stuart Hogg stripped of the captaincy for the upcoming games.
Jamie Ritchie has been handed the responsibility and Townsend insists the flanker has a “great opportunity.”
“He is a very competitive player, been one of our key players over the past few years and him being back fit, this is a great opportunity for him,” he said.
“We have grown leadership over the past few years. Stuart has done a very good job as captain. We see this decision as bringing the best out in Stuart.
“Stuart can be one of the best players in the world, and certainly one of the best players in our team, and we look forward to seeing him do that over the next few weeks.
“As you can imagine, he cares so much about playing for Scotland and leading Scotland, he was disappointed. But he has got behind the team, got behind Jamie.
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“He is viewing it as much as a positive as possible to make sure that he can focus on playing his best rugby, which is the aim.”
Former Australia back-row called up by Scotland
Ritchie is joined in the squad by fellow back-rower Jack Dempsey, who earned 14 caps for Australia between 2017 and 2019.
Under new World Rugby eligibility guidelines, Dempsey is allowed to play for Townsend’s men due to his Scottish ancestry.
“Jack became available with the law change, he has played Test rugby before. He has been outstanding for Glasgow ever since he arrived at Scotstoun and he has started this season in very good form,” the head coach said.
“With him committing to us, it provides real competition to the back row. His way of playing fits in with how we want our team to play and our forwards in particular.
“Murphy was really good on tour, missed out narrowly on getting a Test cap in Argentina, but we have been impressed with how he has been training and playing in the Super Six and also at the weekend with Glasgow.
“And Stafford McDowall has really started the season well. With Sam Johnson’s injury, Stafford comes in there and I’m sure he will be desperate to train with his new team-mates.”