Scotland must be more 'ruthless' after Wales fright

Scotland need to be more "ruthless", says co-captain Finn Russell, after they were almost being punished by Wales for "switching off a little bit" in their bonus-point Six Nations win at Murrayfield.

The Scot stormed into a 35-8 lead inside 50 minutes, but Wales scored 21 unanswered points to narrow the margin of victory to just six points and had a further try disallowed in a frantic, dramatic closing spell.

Russell was off the pitch for the final 25 minutes after suffering with cramp.

"It's great for us to have that quick start and then to finish up with the bonus-point win, " he said. "But after 50-55 minutes, we've probably switched off a little bit.

"I think for us as learning as a team that we need to stamp that out and make sure we have ruthless and 80-minute performances."

Russell was at the heart of Scotland's brilliant attacking display as they ran in five tries.

Blair Kinghorn and Tom Jordan both crossed early and Darcy Graham added a third before Jordan, then Kinghorn after the break, added their second tries.

And after his poor day from the tee in the defeat by England, Russell nailed all five conversions at Murrayfield.

The Bath fly-half joked he had his "boots on the right feet" against Wales, but was left frustrated watching on in the final quarter from the sidelines.

Asked why Scotland have a tendency to drop off games, the 32-year-old replied: "I'm not too sure - it's probably the mental side.

"I think we need to find that ruthless edge of just putting teams away.

"Four tries to one in the first half and then we only scored one try second half so I'm not too sure what it is.

"I think that's something that when we come back on Monday we'll look into that and see mentally where we are."

'Russell back in Lions box seat'- the pundits' views

Former Scotland back row John Barclay: "Finn Russell got the team moving superbly well and the key to it was that he got lots of ball.

"His kicking game, after missing those kicks last week, was superb. His time on the ball, his distribution, made space everywhere.

"There's been a few questions about his form, and he needed a big performance with a view to the Lions tour coming up in the summer."

Former Wales centre Jonathan Davies: "Scotland lost their shape when Russell went off and Wales hung on in there and showed great character.

"Russell played exceptionally well. He had a hand in most of the good things and Wales couldn't put any pressure on him. He was in an armchair ride.

"The Lions will have a big pack in front of him, so he's put himself in the box seat."

Former Scotland back row Johnnie Beattie: "When Zander Fagerson and Finn Russell come off, Scotland are not as strong.

"They lacked a little in that last 20 minutes, but you have to compliment Wales on that final third. They were much better in their approach and there was jeopardy towards the end of the game, so it was a much better watch than the first hour."

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