Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend believes that Finn Russell is not playing well enough to be considered for their Autumn Nations Series campaign.<\/p>\n
The Racing 92 star has been the country\u2019s first choice fly-half over past few years, but he and Townsend have not always seen eye-to-eye.<\/p>\n
Their relationship has broken down on a number of occasions and many are suggesting that it is the real reason behind Russell\u2019s axing.<\/p>\n
Despite Racing\u2019s struggles this season, the Scottish playmaker has had to take extra responsibility for the Parisians due to the injuries they have suffered.<\/p>\n
He is certainly playing better than Glasgow Warriors\u2019 Ross Thompson, who has only recently returned from injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really to reward form and consistency,\u201d Townsend said. \u201cBlair 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdam 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoss hasn\u2019t played as many games but had an excellent season for Glasgow last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor someone like Finn Russell, who has missed out on the squad and has played a lot of games for us in the past, it\u2019s a challenge for him to show his form and consistency over the next few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Jamie Ritchie has been handed the responsibility and Townsend insists the flanker has a \u201cgreat opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cStuart 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs 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.<\/p>\n