Some of the highlights at Glastonbury over these past couple of days have had a distinctly Tartan tinge, as the likes of Lewis Capaldi and Sir Rod Stewart have taken centre stage at the iconic festival.
Yet, over 10,000 miles away on the other side of the world, it was Scottish rugby’s very own rock star who got the British and Irish Lions rockin ‘n’ rollin’ Down Under.
Particularly in the first half of the 54-7 rout of Western Force, Finn Russell demonstrated why he might well just be the best fly-half on the planet right now.
He had the ball on a string with his kicking game, with one pinpoint cross-field dink into the arms of James Lowe helping to create the opening try for skipper Dan Sheehan.
Like a musician starting their set with one of their greatest hits, it was a move we’ve seen from Russell countless times over the years.
He was also instrumental – no pun intended – in the third try, with Russell’s quick tap-and-go from a penalty eventually seeing him offload for Elliot Daly to score.
Fellow Scotland star Sione Tuipolotu acclaims Russell after his outstanding Lions display
Russell shows immaculate handling skills during a passing move
The fly-half makes no mistake as he kicks for goal against Western Force
Those were the highlights of an excellent first half from the Scotland fly-half – and it showed why he has to be first-choice for head coach Andy Farrell when the Test series comes around.
Whilst the Smiths – Fin and Marcus – are fine players in their own right, it’s this charming man from Bridge of Allan who holds the key to success for the Lions over these next few weeks.
Russell is not the maverick player he used to be. The element of risk in his game is now greatly reduced from what we saw a few years ago.
He is not averse to taking risks and playing off the cuff in the right moments. But no longer does that approach define who he is on a rugby field.
To describe him as a ‘maverick’ or a ‘mercurial talent’, as many often still do, is simply not correct. Those titles are lazy and outdated.
They don’t do justice to a player who has matured into arguably the best in his position anywhere in the world.
Lions fans show their support for the Scots contingent Down Under
Garry Ringrose goes over for one of the eight Lions’ tries in a resounding victory
This is now Finn 2.0 and he is the complete package. He has just come off a trophy-laden season with Bath, having won a Treble, and is playing some of the best rugby of his life.
If he can lead the Lions to a Test series victory in Australia, it would probably rank as the single greatest season by any Scottish player in history.
Certainly, all the noise about Russell’s relationship with Lions assistant coach Johnny Sexton a few weeks ago now feels irrelevant.
On this form, there’s simply no way Farrell can’t pick him as the starting ten against Australia. With Russell in this kind of form, the Aussies will be quaking in their boots.
This could be a tour which defines Russell’s legacy as a player. He was only a bit-part figure in New Zealand in 2017 as one of the so-called ‘geography six’ who were called up as injury cover.
In South Africa four years ago, he was criminally under-used and it was only when he came off the bench in the third and final Test that the Lions finally started to play some rugby.
Tomos Williams hurt his hamstring in the act of scoring his second try
Farrell and Sexton will know that the Lions’ best chance of success in this series will come with Russell at the peak of his powers and pulling the strings at fly-half. It’s really that simple.
Yet, even in those opening 40 minutes in Perth yesterday, Russell and his team-mates didn’t have it all their own way.
Western Force troubled the Lions at the breakdown, asked questions of their defence and in the scrum, and were well in the fight.
But, in front of a club record home crowd of 46,656, they faded badly after the break as the Lions brought so much firepower off the bench and turned up the heat.
Joe McCarthy was outstanding and, right now, the big Irishman looks favourite to partner Maro Itoje in the second row once the Test series rolls around.
Scotland’s Scott Cummings didn’t do a whole lot wrong, but he needs to elevate himself if he’s to force his way into the Test picture alongside Itoje, McCarthy, James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne.
Captain Dan Sheehan roars with delight after running in the Lions’ opening try
Huw Jones was another of the Scotland contingent to get some minutes under his belt after he came off the bench in the second half.
This was his first rugby in over a month after picking up a knock for Glasgow Warriors towards the end of the season and he added some pace and zip to the Lions attack in a positive display.
Yet, beyond the contributions from the likes of Russell and McCarthy, it was young Henry Pollock who showcased his box-office talents with another dynamic, all-action display.
Pollock strikes you as the sort of character who could find himself locked inside an empty room and still manage to find a source of conflict.
There were a couple of moments yesterday where he rattled some of the Australians with his mouthy chat off the ball. He is abrasive and confrontational.
Screaming in people’s faces, a ball of energy, and winding opponents up at every opportunity, he is rugby s***housery personified.
But at what point does he overstep the line? At what point does his desire to get involved in episodes of needle, niggle and argy-bargy become a source of concern to Farrell?
Pollock was yellow-carded yesterday just before half-time after being warned several times for illegal interventions at the breakdown.
He also started a rammy after one of the Lions tries in those opening 40 minutes. His enthusiasm and energy strays too often into the realms of emotional immaturity and naivety.
In a rout such as this against limited opposition, the Lions can get away with that. But if Pollock doesn’t learn to channel his energy in the right way, he could become a liability and cost the Lions during the Test series.
But, all in all, this was a solid night’s work for Farrell’s men. Tougher tests will lie ahead. But with Russell as their frontman, the Lions should hit the high notes over these next few weeks.
