RUMOUR | Two Premiership sides made move for Finn Russell

Sunday, 24 May 2020 at 19:49

bySteven Smith

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell reportedly turned down offers from two Gallagher Premiership clubs, instead penning a contract extension with Racing 92.

The Scotland playmakers new deal was confirmed by the club this week after the club also announced the additions of Wallabies duo Kurtley Beale and Luke Jones.

John Evely

@JohnEvely_BPost

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According to @TheRugbyPaper both Bath Rugby and Bristol Bears were keen on adding Scotland’s mercurial fly-half Finn Russell to their backline but he is set to stay at Racing 92 on a long term deal where he has really excelled.

8:12 AM · May 24, 2020

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According to The Rugby Paper, both Premiership pair Bath and Bristol Bears held talks with the 46-cap international over a proposed move.

The Black, Blue and Whites were particularly disappointed to miss out, having identified the playmaker as a long-term target.

However, a huge pay-rise from the Parisians convinced the fly-half to stay with Russell now reportedly earning £850,000 per season for the next three years, which makes him the highest-paid British rugby player.

Russell was omitted from Scotland's Six Nations squad after "breaching team protocol" ahead of their tournament opener against Ireland.

EDITORS PICKS:

Speaking on the

Will Greenwood Podcast, the Racing 92 back says that his relationship with Townsend has actually improved since the incident and they are both learning to interact with each other in a positive way.

""Hopefully in the future, it will be a different relationship and the way we interact with each other should be very good. He sent over some stuff for me to watch and have a think about for us to do when we are back in camp, and general things too about lockdown."

The 8 Highest-Paid Players from Great Britain and Ireland

8. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) - £460,000

with the England centre’s appearances for club Leicester and country sporadic through a variety of ailments.

7. Johnny Sexton (Leinster) - £536,000

Embed from Getty Images

6. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) - £550,000

5. Simon Zebo (Racing 92) - £600,000

The Irish Times

4. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints) - £600,000

Wales’ ‘Governor’ was a catalyst for the Ospreys, being a superb club man and racking up a points record. But he decided to sample life “outside the goldfish bowl” of Wales with a big money offer enticing him to Northampton Saints.

3. Owen Farrell (Saracens) - £750,000

Farrell will remain at the club that he has called ‘home’ since the age of 14 until at least 2022, earning himself a hefty pay-rise in the process. His new deal means he will now earn in excess of £750,000 a season, bringing him in line with some of the highest-paid players in the world.