Russell braces for Italian job

FINN RUSSEL says Scotland must be braced for the best Italy side he has ever faced when they kick off their Six Nations campaign at Murrayfield today.

The Scots’ title challenge was derailed last year when they lost to the Azzurri in Rome.

And with danger men such as Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello and Ange Capuozzo behind a powerful pack of forwards, Russell knows injury-hit Scotland will need to hit the ground running.

“I think the first game of the tournament is tough for everyone because you have not seen how teams look,” Russell said.

“You get further into the tournament, you get a feel for how teams are trying to play and I think over the past few years Italy have always had something different and something up their sleeves.

“It’s going to be interesting to see if they have something and how we adapt to that.

“But for me, it’s the best, strongest Italian team that I have ever faced.”

Scotland have not won the title in the 25 years of the Six Nations era and have failed to even mount a serious challenge since they won the last Five Nations Championship in 1999.

Many believe the current squad to be the best since Jim Telfer’s champion side, although that has been considered the case for a number for years now.

However, Russell says the team must find a way to block out the noise coming from outside the camp.

“I think the last few years we have come in with some expectations and, with the group that we have got, I think it’s quite right to have those expectations,” said the 32-year-old, who will co-captain the Scotland side alongside Rory Darge following Sione Tuipulotu’s injury.

“I think we have come in with a really good mindset this tournament, which in my opinion has been different to the last few or any of the ones I have been involved in, which is great to see.

“I think we have got to focus on now just getting Saturday (today) right and depending on the outcome, we will get back on Monday and we will reassess where we are and go again.” – BBC.