Finn Russell Seeking Lions Redemption After England Star Refuses to Be Subbed Off

The Scotland maestro helped steer Bath to their first Premiership crown in four decades this season, but now his eyes are fixed on something even bigger: redemption in red in Australia 2025.

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Why? Because for all his brilliance, Russell’s previous Lions tours haven’t gone how he’d like.

Back in 2017, he was part of the infamous “Geography Six” — a last-minute group drafted in mid-tour to face the Chiefs and Hurricanes in New Zealand. Alongside Allan Dell, Tomas Francis, Kristian Dacey, Corey Hill, and Gareth Davies, they were seen by many as little more than tackle-bag holders — shipped in not for merit, but convenience.

Even Lions boss Warren Gatland admitted they were picked because they were nearby — Russell and Dell were in Australia with Scotland, the rest in New Zealand with Wales. English players, despite being on tour in Argentina, were snubbed. It didn’t sit well with everyone.

Joe Marler famously refused to be subbed in one game, denying Dell a proper crack. The irony? Marler’s yellow card meant Dell got on anyway — as did Russell.

Fast forward to 2021, and Russell was on the proper Lions squad for South Africa — but a cruel Achilles injury saw him play just one match: a dazzling cameo off the bench in the third Test, ultimately in a losing cause, in front of empty stands thanks to Covid.

Now? He wants more.

“This time, we need to gel quickly,” said Russell, who’ll head Down Under with partner Emma, daughters Charlie and Skye, and his mum Sally. “You only win a Lions series if the group’s tight – off the pitch and on it.”

“The coaches might have a team scribbled down on paper, but I think they will wait to see how the boys all go with each other, how they'll fit into the system.  

“I don't know what the system's going to be yet, similar to the Ireland system maybe, which would be fine to work in, but I haven't worked in that shape.

"We have a few games before the Test matches to work on things.” 

With his attacking flair and renewed focus, Russell is primed to finally write his own legacy in Lions red — not as a last-minute call-up, not as an injured understudy — but as a Test starter, and a series winner.

Did you know Finn Russell started out as a stonemason?
Before turning professional, Russell completed an apprenticeship in stonemasonry while playing club rugby—proof of his humble roots before making it big on the international stage.

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Planet Rugby 4/10: "Did brilliantly wiggle through the tackles of Joaquin Oviedo and Juan Martin González but split the ball with the line begging. His lineout throws were wayward which severely disrupted the Lions’ flow. He was part of an excellent scrummaging effort, though."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "A fumble cost him the opening try of the 2025 Lions series off a Lions catch and drive. A few too many lineout howlers from the Cornishman, his Bluetooth connection with Itoje looking a tad unstable."

JOE 5/10: "An error-strewn performance. Dropped the ball over the line in the first half."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "A mixed bag from big Dewie. A couple of promising inside cuts opened his account, but the defensive ring rust was there to see, having very little recent rugby under his belt.

"Got beaten with an Ignacio Mendy inside step for Los Pumas’ opening five-pointer and was somewhat at fault for Los Pumas’ score just before halftime. Always drew defensive attention and made plenty of metres after contact."

JOE 5.5: "Made an awesome break in the first half, but from then on pretty much nothing went right for the Scot. Looked very dodgy, weak in the air, and a prime target to attack."

Telegraph 5/10: "Understandably rusty in his first game for almost three months. Finished the first period by losing possession, leading to a Pumas try, and was quiet in the second. Had started promisingly, stepping off his left to carve open the Pumas."

Flo Rugby 4/10: "Outside of a few early runs, the Scottish winger had a tough first outing. His defensive position exposed the Lions' backfield. In the air, he couldn’t quite get to grips with the high ball,s whilst his one-on-one tackling left a lot to be desired."

BALLS 5/10: "Superb line break, on six minutes, but missed a pass that would have put Mitchell away. Costly error after he was tackled led to Argentina try before the break. Not great under the high ball. An iffy game."

The Irish Times 5/10: "He was a mixed bag in the first half, hitting rucks and a great one-handed pass to Tommy Freeman early on. Was an early threat but was turned over going forward for the Albornoz try before half-time."

BALLS 5/10: "Hefty tackle, close to his own line, shut down try-scoring opportunity for Argentina. Some bright moments but too many were followed by errors. His decision to pressure Tomas Albornoz back-fired when he and Pollock were easily evaded and Argentina counter-attacked to score. Shelled an easy Furlong pass."

Flo Rugby 5.5/10: "Started the fixture strong and got through plenty of work with 12 tackles, 9 carries and a turnover. Unlike his top-line performances, he could never quite find that key impact moment, which would disappoint him."

Flo Rugby 5.5/10: "Started the fixture strong and got through plenty of work with 12 tackles, 9 carries and a turnover. Unlike his top-line performances, he could never quite find that key impact moment, which would disappoint him."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Scrappy enough for the Harlequin. Opened his 2025 Lions’ account with a poor kick chase and miss tackle and didn’t look terribly comfortable in the air either.

"Saw a bit of ball but was proved a limited counter-attacking threat. Didn’t force the game but did his best to remain involved from the back. Overall, an evening to forget."

The Irish Times 5/10: "Scrambled well for a kicked through ball at the end of the first halfbut wasn’t always solid under the high kicks. Caught out of position and didn’t read the threat when Santiago Cordero scored his second-half try."

Flo Rugby 5/10: "A truly frustrating evening for the England playmaker, who was ultra busy, had some flashes of pure brilliance, but was ultimately brutally exposed by the Pumas' kicking game. Unable to compete consistently in the air and getting caught out of position in the backfield highlighted why flyhalf remains his best position.

"The challenge for him will be whether he can work his way onto the bench as the back-up ten or even challenge for the starting position. With both Blair Kinghorn and Hugo Keenan in the squad, it is tough to envisage Smith getting the nod in the 15 shirt against a potent Wallabies kicking game."

Balls 510: "Missed Albornoz in the lead-up to the Cordero try."

Flo Rugby: "Hyping himself and his teammates up as he came off the bench, the electric young backrow did not have the impact he hoped for. Missing a key tackle as Los Pumas raced away was a big black mark on his evening. On the positive side of things, he had a nice carry on the left-hand side of the pitch, which made some good yards. he was always looking for work and was clearly well-marked by Los Pumas, thus opening a bit of space for those around him."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Looked pumped on the sidelines but struggled to deliver any highlight reel stuff on this occasion. Active around the breakdown and certainly showed no signs of being overawed on Lions debut."

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