Racing 92, its synthetic turf, its closed Arena and the genius of its opening half.
Friday against Montpellier (41-17), Finn Russell made Finn Russell for the first home game of the Ile-de-France since confinement: confusing acceleration, acceleration in the holes of the Hérault defense and brilliant kicks, at the origin of two successive trials by Laurent Travers' men.
Arrived in 2018 to succeed Dan Carter, the 27-year-old Scotsman won in the training of Laurent Travers, whose game he will be responsible for running against Clermont in the Champions Cup quarter-final on Saturday (6:45 p.m.).
Performances analyzed by Dimitri Yachvili, consultant for the broadcaster of the France 2 match, and Philippe Doussy, trainer in charge of skills at Racing 92.
His strengths
Dimitri Yachvili:
“He is a volatile player with remarkable technical qualities for his position.
He's out of the frame, he's got that thing that makes him feel the game when he's on the pitch.
He is also very good at his offensive footing.
With Carter, the game of Racing was more pragmatic, more structured.
He made it more lively.
I put him in the top five for the Top 14 today.
"
Philippe Doussy:
“Finn, it's a treat for his teammates.
He's so fluid and relaxed on the pitch and at the same time his gestures are very precise.
What is striking is how easy he is in all his passes, regardless of the distance to the player he is aiming for.
He is cataloged as an attacker who carries the ball, but where some labeled in this way can not alternate at the foot, he knows how to do it.
And then, even if he is not sheathed like a sprinter, I can assure you that he goes fast.
For me, he's the best at his post in the French Championship.
"
His madness moves
Dimitri Yachvili:
“He's the X factor, capable of making differences like few players do in top-level rugby.
When you play scrum half with him, it must be disturbing because there is still a frame and pitch to be respected on the attacks.
The thing that helps him with his support and his technique is also the closed stadium of Racing where he does not have to worry about the rain, the wind or the mud.
That said, that did not prevent him from registering his test at Munster, where he managed a small bridge in more difficult conditions.
"
🏉 #ChampionsCup
✨ Small bridge + test ➡️ Finn Russell opens the scoring with the way for the @ racing92!
🤩 # RugbyPack pic.twitter.com/iPS3Fkz3Go
- beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) November 23, 2019
Philippe Doussy:
“We give him a framework, but also a certain freedom that he exploits with his very good eye.
He is detached from the event, but we must not kid ourselves, he works a lot in training.
He spends time on video scrutinizing teams, his direct opponents, areas to look for defenders, etc.
Behind what we see on the pitch, there is a lot of preparation.
"
What he needs to improve
Dimitri Yachvili:
“You can't really blame him for trying unexpected things because it often works, but I have sometimes seen him abuse it and get out of his match.
When his pack of forwards was dominated, he didn't necessarily manage to stand out from the crowd.
He won't always be able to be on the intuitive and spectacular side.
There, he has been in Racing for two years and is in good shape, I want to see what he looks like in this quarter-final.
If he manages to combine his qualities and a more managerial side, that will make a very nice mix.
"
Philippe Doussy says it: it is better to have Finn Russel in his team “than in the one opposite.
»./AFP/FRANCK FIFE
Philippe Doussy:
“Sometimes I tell myself that some things he does in such a way against opponents, we would have done in another way (laughs).
He does so many things well that we can give him a little waste in his offensives sometimes.
He is very efficient, but we have found areas of work for him to improve.
We make him work on his kicks, so that he is able to vary the areas where he puts into play to put pressure, and his kicking game to move the opponent.
But overall, I much prefer to have him in my team than in the one opposite.
"