"Awkward" - Finn Russell's Dad brutally sacked by Scottish Rugby
Rugby NewsSunday, 29 June 2025 at 10:05
for the as they take on Australia — showing no signs of being held back by his family’s off-field battles with the SRU.
The father of British & Irish Lions star Finn Russell has slammed the Scottish Rugby Union for how it handled his sacking — after an employment tribunal ruled back in 2018 that his dismissal was
“both procedurally and substantively unfair.”
Keith Russell, who was director of domestic rugby, joined the SRU in February 2015 and was summarily dismissed just over two years later on 19th May 2017.
His case went before an employment tribunal in early 2018, where the SRU’s top brass — including Chief Executive Mark Dodson and General Counsel Robert Howat — were grilled by Judge Joseph D’Inverno. The outcome was damning.
“On the evidence presented, I was unable to find in fact that the respondent employer honestly and reasonably held belief that the claimant was not competent,” said Judge D’Inverno.
“Nor, and equally importantly, that there was a reasonable ground for that belief as at the time of dismissal.”
The judge also found that Dodson and Howat gave evidence that was “largely of a general nature tending towards the expression of opinions” — in other words, no hard facts to support their actions.
Speaking after the verdict, Keith Russell said the whole affair had placed son Finn — now one of the most influential players on the Lions' 2025 tour of Australia — in an extremely difficult position as he tried to focus on his rugby.
“He's very aware of how the SRU has treated myself and so it's made it really difficult for him this year to go out, whether it's Glasgow at Scotstoun or Scotland at Murrayfield,” Russell said.
“Knowing there are people in the stand that have just summarily dismissed his father with no justification, with no process or anything else.
“That's a really awkward position for him to have been in.”
The ruling in 2018 was a major embarrassment for the SRU — and it continues to cast a long shadow over the organisation and its senior leadership.
Meanwhile, Finn Russell is letting his rugby do the talking. He’s currently lighting up the pitch
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"Absolute Disaster" - Four Lions players who flopped against Western Force
Here are four Lions who failed to fire, with scores and quotes from the top rugby outlets.
1. Tadhg Beirne –
RUCK 5 | RugbyPass 6 | Express 5
RUCK: “He really struggled up against the Forces’ pace to the game and gave away some silly penalties in and around the breakdown.”
RugbyPass: “Busy in the tight but appeared to be on the wrong side of Ben O’Keeffe’s whistle early on, giving away two breakdown penalties.”
Express: “Needless penalties in first half before being replaced in second.”
Beirne’s move to the back row didn’t pay off. He looked off-rhythm early and conceded costly penalties that gave the Force momentum. Not the kind of calm leadership expected from such an experienced Lion. Discipline will be non-negotiable in the Tests — and Beirne knows it.
2. Pierre Schoeman –
RUCK 5 | Planet Rugby 5 | Telegraph 4
RUCK: “Really struggled under the pressure at the scrum... a passenger struggling with the Forces’ physicality.”
Planet Rugby: “Struggled in the scrums but was busy around the park.”
Telegraph: "The Force put the Lions scrum under serious pressure which leaves his position vulnerable after Ellis Genge’s strong performance last week."
Schoeman found the going tough up front, especially in the first half. He offered his usual work rate in loose play, but the Force repeatedly got the better of him at the scrum — and that pressure filtered through the Lions' entire pack. Didn't show the presence he had against Argentina.
3. Tadhg Furlong –
RUCK 5 | Planet Rugby 5 | Telegraph 4
RUCK: “Struggled in the physicality department… lost the battle at set piece and was on the back foot for the majority of the game.”
Planet Rugby: “Not nearly as dominant in the scrums as he was a week ago… managed to get through a decent amount of defence work.”
Telegraph: "Would have hoped for a more dominant performance against a converted loosehead in Tom Robertson. Got through a lot of tackles and some soft hands in phase play."
Another surprise dip. Furlong, usually a reliable anchor at the set piece, had an unusually shaky night. While his hands and defence were solid, the Lions needed dominance — not damage control — from the veteran tighthead. He’ll be under pressure to bounce back quickly.
4. Scott Cummings –
RUCK 4 | RugbyPass 5.5 | Express 5 | Balls.ie 5
RUCK: “At the forefront of the Lions’ biggest Achilles heel, which was kick-off restarts… maybe played himself out of test contention.”
RugbyPass: “Failed to reclaim the restart… and the second-half kick-off too.”
Balls.ie: “Targeted for restarts and struggled there.”
Express: “Line-out worked but didn’t see much carrying.”
Telegraph: "An absolute disaster at the restarts where he was mercilessly targeted by the Force."
A frustrating night for the Scottish lock. Missed two restarts — one of which directly led to the Force’s only try — and gave away a soft penalty near his own line. Made plenty of tackles, but his aerial work and general impact left a lot to be desired. A golden opportunity missed.
QUIZ: Can you name the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?
Think you’re a true rugby nut? It's time to put your Lions knowledge to the test.
12 years have passed since Warren Gatland’s men roared to a famous series win over Australia, but how well do you really remember the iconic 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?
From legendary leaders to surprise selections, we’ve lined up every player from that unforgettable tour. All you have to do is name them. No pressure, right?
Take the quiz below and prove your rugby brain still bites.
? Scroll down and get cracking – how many can you get without cheating?
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