Six Nations: Thaw in the air as Finn Russell and Gregor Townsend talk tactics

Hopes of a reconcilliation between Finn Russell and the Scotland management team appear to have been strengthened after the stand-off joined a coaches’ meeting to give his insights into the France team ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations match at BT Murrayfield.

Finn Russell joined a conference call with Scotland coaches ahead of the game with France. Picture: Gary Hutchison/SNS

Although Russell will not play, he took part in a coaches’ conference call, which had been switched from earlier in the week.

The Racing 92 stand-off, who has not played in the Six Nations after a fall out with head coach Gregor Townsend, shared his experience from France.

Scrum coach Pieter de Villiers said: “We spoke to Finn because he plays in France. Finn is working with some of the players who play for France and some of the coaches who are involved, so he is obviously invaluable for us.”

Russell also helped analyse strategy and tactics in French rugby, according to De Villiers. He did not discuss the issues which led to him leavingcamp the week before the first game against Ireland but a co-operative discussion with Townsend suggests an improvement in the relationship between the two.

Former Scotland forward Johnnie Beattie, who played in France for eight years, also shared his expertise with the coaches .