Six Nations: Finn Russell lifts lid on Scotland axe as he insists he DOESN’T owe coach Townsend an apology
FINN RUSSELL has broken his silence on his controversial Scotland axe.
The star fly-half was sensationally chopped from head coach Gregor Townsend's Six Nations opener against Ireland over a 'late-night drinking session' at the team hotel.
The incident took place three weeks ago today, and the Racing 92 ace also missed out on yesterday's Calcutta Cup disappointed against England at Murraryfield.
It's not clear whether Russell will feature in a Dark Blues shirt at all this Six Nations campaign, which has got off to a bad start.
However, one thing the 27-year-old is certain about is that he DOESN'T owe anybody an apology.
Rather, he is keen to offer an explanation of the controversial events which he admits had been building up over a period of time between himself and Townsend.
Russell disputes the Scottish Rugby Union's narrative of a 'late-night drinking session'.
He claims, in reality, it was actually a handful of beers and curtains at 11pm.
Speaking to , he said: "Eight years I've had him (Townsend) as a coach, and I don't really know him at all. We've not got a personal relationship.
"With Racing, last year I couldn't speak much to the coaches because my French wasn't that good, but this year with (Irish backs and attack coach) Mike (Prendergast) I get on really well, I chat to him a lot and I've spoken to him a lot about this situation.
"It's the same with Toto (head coach Laurent Travers) and (director of rugby) Yannick Nyanga.
"It's a much more personal relationship. It's like it was with Scotland under Vern (Cotter).
"When we're training and playing, they're my coaches, but with that we can have a good, honest chat and blether away like you would with family and friends.
"They treat you like an adult. After a game, they understand it's your time to do what you need to.
"If you start coming in late for training or going out during the week, that's when it's a problem.
"This whole situation with Scotland has been made out to be about me wanting to have a drink, when in actual fact, it's about control, respect and trust, on and off the pitch.
"I want the best for Scotland and so I've questioned the environment to try and make it better.
"We (he and Townsend) have clashed quite a lot, him saying one thing and me saying another.
"It's come to a point where I'm saying, 'you can be you and I'm going to be me. That's how this relationship is going to be.' Well, it's not really a relationship."
Russell admits he was unclear on his future involvement with the national team before the flashpoint after conversations with Townsend.
He had just played a Champions Cup match for Racing against Saracens at Allianz Park.
He arrived at the team hotel just prior to 9pm where he met up with the staff and his fellow team-mates.
Russell, part of the team's leadership group, says that the rest of the group had agreed players would be allowed two beers at dinner and there would be a team night out after their Calcutta Cup game.
So when Russell ordered a third beer after his meal, this is said to have upset some senior players.
He added: "The players at dinner were like, 'no more drinking'.
"These are guys I know well, so I said, 'what's the problem, I've just played, I just want a couple of beers' and they said that's what the leaders had agreed.
"I'm part of the leaders group, but they'd had the meeting before I got there. I'd not had a say. So for me, straight away, it was set up pretty poorly.
"It refreshed all the memories about the environment. I've just played a game, my 13th in a row, flown straight up and it's the exact same.
"I've spoken to Gregor two weeks beforehand to tell him how I was feeling and not heard back for 10 days.
"What's going on? It's also the case that a night out after England is fine for the boys employed by the SRU who will have that next week off, but me and some of the other boys will be back to play for our clubs.
"I know it can't be changed for one person, but at least if we get a say at the time, we can come to an agreement.
"Again, though, it's not about drink, it's about the whole environment."
Russell says he left the hotel at around 11.30pm and was driven to the family home in Bridge of Allan.
He returned to camp on Monday night for a planned meeting with Townsend.
It was here he was told he would not be considered for selection against Ireland on account of his 'breach of team protocol'.
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"For me and Gregor, it was a decent enough chat, I've never spoken to him properly like that before. But still I felt we were going round in circles.
"I'm like, 'I'm trying to tell you what I'm thinking, and we just go round again. You need to listen to me.' I don't really feel I get that from Gregor.
"It could have been sorted in-house. I didn't turn up on the Monday and that was my choice, but since then it's been just like, 'see you later Finn'."