England's defence coach Richard Wigglesworth has openly admitted that attempting to formulate a specific plan to neutralise Scotland's mercurial fly-half Finn Russell is a pointless endeavour. This candid revelation comes as England prepare to face Scotland in the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield this Saturday, with Wigglesworth drawing on his recent experience working alongside Russell during last summer's British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.
Wigglesworth's Firsthand Experience with Russell's Brilliance
Wigglesworth served as one of Andy Farrell's key assistants on the Lions' coaching staff during their successful series victory over the Wallabies. It was there that he gained an intimate, up-close perspective on Russell's unique talents and unpredictable playing style. "How many defence coaches have gone in with a Finn Russell plan and been made to look pretty stupid?" Wigglesworth questioned rhetorically. He emphasised that the focus for England is not on stopping Russell individually, but rather on containing the broader threat posed by the entire Scottish team.
A Talent That Defies Conventional Planning
"He's one of those guys whose talent speaks for itself, but he works hard on it," Wigglesworth noted, praising Russell's diligence and rapid comprehension. "I found him really diligent. Obviously his mind works really fast. You tell him something or there's some part of a plan he just picks up and goes with it. All the stuff you expect with the standard of player he is." The coach also highlighted Russell's personable nature, which facilitated productive discussions during the Lions tour.
England head to Edinburgh as favourites, riding a wave of twelve consecutive victories, while Scotland are looking to rebound from a surprising defeat to Italy last weekend. However, historical data presents a cautionary tale for the visitors. England have not secured a victory at Murrayfield since 2020, and have managed only a single win there since 2016. Russell has repeatedly proven to be a thorn in England's side, orchestrating Scottish attacks that have dismantled English defences on several notable occasions.
Underhill Acknowledges Russell's All-Round Game
Adding to the chorus of respect from the England camp, flanker Sam Underhill, who trains with Russell at Bath, pointed out the fly-half's underrated defensive capabilities. "He's a physical 10, as well, which is probably an underrated part of his game," Underhill stated. "He's a good defender, he's a good hitter, and he's not a small guy. I don't want to big him up too much but he's a fairly well rounded player."
Underhill even revealed a practical consideration during training sessions, joking about the financial implications of tackling Russell too hard. "He's far too expensive to do that," he said. The flanker further praised Russell's mental fortitude, describing him as a "very confident player" who is "pretty unflappable," a quality that significantly strengthens Scotland's offensive structure.
As the Six Nations encounter approaches, the admissions from Wigglesworth and Underhill underscore the significant challenge that Finn Russell represents. His blend of innate talent, hard work, physicality, and unshakeable confidence makes him a uniquely difficult opponent to prepare for, setting the stage for a compelling tactical battle at Murrayfield this weekend.
