SCOTLAND SUFFERED A narrow loss to France in their RBS Six Nations clash in Paris earlier today and it was an odd game for many reasons, not least Vern Cotter’s men losing talisman Greig Laidlaw, his replacement skipper John Barclay and Barclay’s replacement John Hardie all to injury.
But there was also a bizarre incident involving out-half Finn Russell.
He stepped up to convert Tim Swinson’s second-half try from in front of the posts and inexplicably missed, driving the ball under the posts.
Russell had waited a long time for the kicking tee and seemed unnerved. The kick was rushed and the ball seemed to slip off the tee just as he went to strike.
There was also a voice heard prior to Russell beginning his run-up, believed to be Scotland’s assistant coach Nathan Hines, that urged Russell to hurry up.
Had Russell scored, it would’ve extended Scotland’s lead to five points at the time. Though they ended up losing by six, it was certainly a setback and a moment to forget for the fly-half.
