Scotland playmaker Finn Russell has HIA assessment after sickening tackle and helps Racing 92 reach Top 14 semi-finals

Finn Russell kicked 14 points as Racing 92 moved into the semi-finals of the Top 14 play-offs with an impressive 33-20 win away at Parisian rivals Stade Francais.

Finn Russell kicked 14 points as Racing 92 defeated Stade Francais 33-20 in the Top 14 quarter-finals.

The Scotland stand-off, who is leaving Racing 92 at the end of the season, was instrumental in the victory at the Stade Jean Bouin. The 30-year-old kicked three penalties and converted two tries on an eventful afternoon for the ex-Glasgow Warriors man, who had to come off the pitch for an HIA assessment just seven minutes in after a sickening dangerous tackle by Marcos Kremer, who was sent off to leave Stade a man short for the majority of the match. However, he passed all the protocols and returned to the pitch 13 minutes later to help Laurent Travers’ team progress to the last four.

Racing’s tries came from Juan Imhoff, Wenceslas Lauret and Gael Fickou, with Stade Francais responding with tries from Sekou Macalou, a penalty try and eight points via the boot of Joris Segonds. Nevertheless, it is Racing who progress to the semi-finals next weekend, where they will take on regular season table-toppers Toulouse. That match is scheduled for Friday evening at the Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian, the home of Real Sociedad. The Spanish city is hosting both last-four ties, with the winner of Lyon and Bordeaux-Begles facing Heineken Cup winners La Rochelle the following day. The final is due to be played on Saturday, June 17 at the Stade de France.

Racing’s win means that Russell’s arrival at Scotland’s World Cup training squad will be further delayed. With some of the group due to join up with head coach Gregor Townsend at BT Murrayfield on Monday, Russell will now be one of the last to appear.

Russell is hoping to sign off with Racing in style. The popular playmaker is leaving them at the close of the season to join Gallagher Premiership outfit Bath and will become one of the highest paid players in the English top flight. Racing last won the Top 14 in 2016, before Russell joined them, and his only appearance in a final came in the 2019/20 Heineken Cup, losing to Exeter Chiefs.