Finn Russell facts for kids
Russell representing Scotland during the Summer Internationals
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| Full name | Finn Alastair Russell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 23 September 1992 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Bridge of Allan, Scotland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 87 kg (192 lb; 13 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Wallace High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Lincoln University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Finn Alastair Russell (born 23 September 1992) is a Scottish professional rugby union player. He plays as a fly-half for the Premiership Rugby club Bath. He also leads the Scotland national team as captain.
Russell first played for Scotland in 2014 against the United States. Since then, he has played in over 50 international matches. He also represented the British & Irish Lions, a special team of players from the UK and Ireland. He toured with them in New Zealand in 2017 and South Africa in 2021. In 2024, Russell was featured in the Netflix show Six Nations Full Contact.
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Finn Russell's Early Life and Rugby Start
Finn Russell grew up in a family that loved sports. His dad played many racket sports and worked in sports management for the Scottish Rugby Union. His grandparents were international badminton players. His uncle and great-grandfather played cricket for Scotland. Finn's brothers also play rugby.
Russell began playing rugby at Wallace High School in Stirling. He wasn't very interested in schoolwork. After high school, he worked for three years as a stonemason. He learned this trade in a business owned by a family friend, while also developing his rugby skills.
In 2013, Russell received the John Macphail Scholarship. This scholarship allowed him to spend 15 weeks in New Zealand at Lincoln University. He played for local clubs in the Christchurch area. This experience helped him improve his rugby with special coaching and facilities.
Finn Russell's Club Rugby Journey
Starting Out: Ayr and Glasgow Warriors
Russell first played rugby for Stirling County. In 2011, he moved to Falkirk to get more playing time. After a tournament, he was chosen to play for Ayr. He helped Ayr win both the league and cup in the 2012–13 Scottish Premiership season. Russell then joined Glasgow Warriors in 2012, but he got injured in his first season.
Russell returned to Glasgow for the 2013/14 season. Many of Glasgow's top players were away playing for their countries. This gave Russell a chance to play. He made his professional debut on 10 February 2013 against Zebre. He came on as a substitute in the 56th minute. Later that year, he made his first start for the club against the Newport Gwent Dragons. Glasgow's coach, Gregor Townsend, then offered Russell a full-time contract starting in the 2014–15 season.
Winning with Glasgow Warriors
The 2014–15 season was a big one for Russell and Glasgow. He played a key role in Glasgow winning the Pro12 title. In the last regular season match, he scored 22 points, including two tries, against Ulster. This win helped Glasgow secure a home play-off game. The next week, against the same team, Russell made a crucial pass that led to a try, tying the score. He then kicked the winning conversion from a difficult angle, sending Glasgow to the final.
In the final, held in Belfast, Russell scored a try and four conversions. Glasgow won 31–13 against Munster, earning their first-ever Pro12 title.
Moving to France: Racing 92
On 29 November 2017, it was announced that Russell would leave Glasgow Warriors. He moved to the French club Racing 92 after the 2017–18 season. He took the place of the famous All Black player Dan Carter.
In December 2022, it was announced that Russell would join Bath Rugby after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Playing for Bath Rugby
After Scotland's early exit from the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Russell played his first game for Bath. He came on as a substitute in the first round of the 2023-24 Premiership Rugby season. He helped Bath win 34-26 against Newcastle Falcons.
Russell got a groin injury during a European Champions Cup game against Exeter Chiefs. This kept him from playing for five weeks. He returned for the last two games of the regular season. He helped Bath reach the playoffs for the first time in four years. In the semi-final against Sale Sharks, Russell scored 16 points. This led Bath to a 31-23 victory and their first Premiership Final in nine years. However, Bath lost the final 25-21 to Northampton Saints.
Finn Russell's International Career
Playing for Scotland
In 2012, Russell played at centre for the Scotland U20 team in the World Rugby U20 Championships. He was first called up to the senior national team in 2014. He started in matches against the United States and Canada. That autumn, he started in all three of Scotland's November Tests.
In 2014, Russell had a very fast rise in his career. He joined the national team in just six months. Russell became Scotland's main fly-half during the 2015 Six Nations Championship. He started four of the team's five matches. He missed one game due to a suspension. Russell scored his first international try in the final game against Ireland.
Russell was chosen for Scotland's squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He scored a try in the team's first match win against Japan.
In 2017, Russell was part of Scotland's tour to the Southern Hemisphere. He helped create two tries in the win against Italy in Singapore. A week later, he scored a try himself during a victory over Australia.
Russell played in all five of Scotland's 2018 Six Nations Championship games. In the 25-13 win over England, he made an amazing pass that led to a try. Many experts called this one of the greatest passes ever.
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Russell played in four of Scotland's 2019 Six Nations Championship games, missing one due to injury. He scored a try and two conversions. He played a very important part in Scotland's comeback against England, which ended in a 38-38 draw.
Russell played in three of Scotland's group matches at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He scored a try in the loss to Japan. Scotland did not make it to the quarter-finals that year.
In 2023, Russell was chosen as one of two main fly-halves for Scotland's squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. In 2024, Russell was named co-captain for the 2024 Six Nations Championship alongside Rory Darge.
Playing for the British & Irish Lions
After a great performance for Scotland against Australia in Sydney, Russell was called up to the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand. He played briefly in a match against the Super Rugby champions Hurricanes. He became Lion number #835.
In 2021, Russell was chosen for the Lions' tour to South Africa. He scored his first Lions points by kicking four conversions in a big win over the Sharks. He missed the first two Test matches due to an Achilles tendon injury. But he came on as a substitute in the important third Test match after only 11 minutes. He then kicked 11 points. Many people praised Russell's performance.
Finn Russell's Personal Life
After high school, Finn Russell worked as a stonemason for three years. He once said that working in the cold shed on rainy days could be tough. He made things like windowsills, door frames, and fireplaces. But he said it was "night and day" compared to playing rugby. If he ever had a bad day at training, he would think back to working as a stonemason.
Russell has been given nicknames like 'Russell the Muscle' because he is quite slender for a rugby player. His teammate Simon Zebo also calls him 'White Chocolate'.
Russell has been in a relationship with Emma Canning, a Scottish athlete, since 2017. In November 2022, they welcomed their first child, a daughter.
Finn Russell's International Tries
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21 March 2015 | Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |  Ireland |
8–17 | 10–40 | 2015 Six Nations Championship |
| 2 | 23 September 2015 | Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, England |  Japan |
43–10 | 45–10 | 2015 Rugby World Cup |
| 3 | 18 March 2017 | Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |  Italy |
8–0 | 29–0 | 2017 Six Nations Championship |
| 4 | 17 June 2017 | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia |  Australia |
17–7 | 24–19 | 2017 mid-year rugby union internationals |
| 5 | 16 March 2019 | Twickenham Stadium, London, England |  England |
29–31 | 38–38 | 2019 Six Nations Championship |
| 6 | 13 October 2019 | Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, Japan | Japan |
5–0 | 21–28 | 2019 Rugby World Cup |
| 7 | 14 March 2021 | Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland | Ireland |
8–8 | 24–27 | 2021 Six Nations Championship |
| 8 | 26 February 2023 | Stade de France, Paris, France |  France |
17–7 | 21–32 | 2023 Six Nations Championship |
| 9 | 24 November 2024 | Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Scotland | Australia |
27–6 | 27–13 | 2024 end-of-year rugby union internationals |
as of 26 November 2024[update]
See also
In Spanish: Finn Russell para niños
