Six Nations 2024: Finn Russell calls for Scotland focus against 'raw but dangerous' Wales
- Published
Russell has scored 327 points in 75 appearances for Scotland
Guinness Six Nations 2024: Wales v Scotland |
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Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Date: Saturday, 3 February Kick-off: 16:45 GMT |
Coverage: Live on BBC One, S4C, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Scotland Extra, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru & live text on the BBC Sport website and app |
Finn Russell says Scotland will face a "raw but dangerous" Wales who have "nothing to lose" under a closed roof at the Principality Stadium.
Due to a worsening weather forecast, Scotland changed their mind about the roof remaining open and the fly-half and captain says their Six Nations opener will be played in "one of the best atmospheres in the world".
Having felt its force in the past, Russell is wary of the impact of the passionate home crowd should Wales get off to a flyer on Saturday.
"Wales will be playing with freedom and with nothing to lose," he said. "We have to lean on our experience, but on the other side they'll be doing the opposite and having a go. It's a very dangerous team.
"When the Welsh boys put that red jersey on they become different to when they are at their clubs. We can't take this Welsh team lightly at all. It's a massive challenge to come down here and win - but an exciting one.
"We have a few new faces on the back of a disappointing World Cup. We have a point to prove - both teams have."
Scotland are also hoping to bring an end to 11 straight defeats in Cardiff across 22 years.
This is one of the most callow Welsh squads in many decades. With dozens of frontline players unavailable for a variety of different reasons, Warren Gatland has named eight men in his squad who have never played in this tournament before.
At 21, Wales captain Dafydd Jenkins wasn't born the last time Scotland won in Cardiff.
"We have to focus on ourselves because we don't know what the Welsh team is going to bring," added Russell.
"It makes it a different sort of challenge for us to come down and beat a raw Welsh team. We all have to bring that belief in ourselves.
"We need to start this game as quickly as we can, to try to take the crowd out of it and get a foothold. I've been here a few times but there are boys in our squad who won't have been here before with a full house and the roof closed.
"If the crowd get into it, they can have an influence. You never know what 80,000 Welsh fans can create."
Roof 'doesn't change too much'
Russell refused to call Scotland favourites despite most pundits tipping them heavily for victory.
"I don't view it like that," he said. "We haven't won here in 22 years. Yeah, we have a more experienced team but that doesn't always count on the day.
"They have very exciting players who are going to be playing with freedom and that's part of the joys of having a youthful team. They are a lot freer, potentially, than we will be."
The captain made light of Scotland's U-turn on the roof, Gregor Townsend announcing on Thursday that he wanted it open and then agreeing on Friday to keep it closed.
"It doesn't change too much, I was at Racing for five years and they've got an indoor stadium, so I'm pretty used to it," added Russell. "The weather conditions changed, so that's why it's closed. It'll make for an exciting, fast, free-flowing game."