Finn Russell says he feels fresher as Scotland prepare for the All Blacks
Finn Russell says he feels fresher, mentally and physically, as Scotland get ready to face New Zealand at Murrayfield on Saturday. The fly-half, who runs Scotland's attack and takes many of the kicks, spoke on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast about the match and his place in the squad.
The game is a Nations Championship fixture, the international competition that runs through the autumn. Kick-off is at 2:10pm on Saturday 7 November. The All Blacks are the New Zealand men's team, and they remain one of the strongest sides in the sport.
Russell, who is 34, was asked about retirement and whether his career is entering its final stages. He laughed the questions off. He has also said he wants to keep playing after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The match carries personal milestones. Russell has won 95 caps for Scotland, a cap being the official record of one appearance for your country. Saturday will be his 100th international, counting Scotland and British & Irish Lions Tests. The Lions are a combined side from Britain and Ireland that tours every few years, and Russell has been on three of them, most recently to Australia last summer.
His club career has included titles with Glasgow Warriors and Bath, and a European final with Racing 92.
Scotland have not beaten New Zealand for 121 years, so the wait for a first win is a long one. Saturday will be only the fourth time Russell has faced the All Blacks in 12 and a half years of international rugby. The two nations first met in 1905.
The fixture also looks ahead. Scotland travel to Dunedin to play New Zealand in their last match before next year's World Cup. That will be their first away game against the All Blacks in 27 years.
Last November, New Zealand led Scotland 17-0 at half-time. Scotland fought back to level the score with around 20 minutes left, but New Zealand held on to win. Reporting from Reuters described it as a brave Scottish comeback that fell short.
For a casual fan, the easiest way to follow Saturday is to watch the start. A strong opening spell often sets the tone for the rest of the afternoon, and Scotland will know a half-time deficit like last year's is hard to recover from. Russell's form and his ability to control the game from fly-half will be central to whether they can change the story against New Zealand.
